Italian fresh produce trade exhibition Macfrut is to relocate to Rimini from its previous home, Cesena, it has been confirmed.
At a press conference held in Rome, Renzo Piraccini, president of show organiser Cesena Fiera, said the show would take place on 23-25 September 2015 and, with the backing of major sponsor UniCredit, would be extended to include what he described as “innovative producers” as well as trading companies, suppliers and distributors.
As reported by Italiafruit News, Cesena’s mayor Paolo Lucchi was also in attendance and commented: ”We are launching this large-scale project in order to make Macfrut an increasingly international event, a more outward-oriented window on the fruit and vegetable [business].”
In particular, Macfrut is aiming to focus greater attention on eastern Europe and the rest of the Mediterranean, with Piraccini reportedly targeting 400 new buyers from around the world.
To that end, road-show presentations underwritten by UniCredit in support of the event will be held in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Turkey and Bulgaria.
In the meantime, Cesena Fiera itself plans to develop closer ties with buyers in North Africa and South America.
During the event itself, which will include five main pavilions encompassing the whole supply chain, plus special dried fruit and innovation areas and a 500m2 health zone sponsored by Rimini Wellness, there will also be a mini-convention offering companies the chance to present their products or services to visitors.
Macfrut is not cutting its ties with Cesena entirely, however. One day prior to the exhibition, Forum Macfrut will take place in the town’s Congress Centre, covering three main themes: future point-of-sale developments; technology and packaging; and sales promotions.
A programme of study tours is also in development.
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