After a year-and-a-half of 'virtual' relations, the fresh produce industry will finally gather again in person.
This will take place at the Rimini Expo Centre during Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable sector, scheduled from Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 September.
In addition to being the first fresh produce industry trade fair to be held in person, it will celebrate one of the key global events in the industry: the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables declared by the FAO.
This is precisely the direction taken by a series of international events organised during this three-day trade fair to promote the many positive aspects of this sector, which will be revealed in the next few months.
Macfrut, a Covid-free trade fair
Safety will be a top priority at the 2021 edition. The pandemic slowdown and the massive global vaccination campaign are paving the way for a return to normal, and the introduction of the Green Pass means that travel within Europe can be resumed.
Moreover, professionals travelling from non-EU countries are exempt from quarantine, provided they obtain a negative swab before entering Italy and stay for less than 120 hours (five days). This period may be extended by a few days if they can prove they are travelling for business purposes.
In addition to these provisions, Macfrut has added another measure to ensure the safety of both exhibitors and visitors: the trade fair will be Covid-free, since access to the event will only be allowed to visitors provided with a Green Pass.
Those who do not have one will be able to take a rapid test at the two entrances to the Rimini Expo Centre.
Macfrut 2021
There will be numerous focus sessions on innovations in the sector, starting with the dynamic areas, which will host the fourth edition of International Asparagus Days, the Macfrut Field Solution test field, the Acquacampus area set up in partnership with CER and ANBI, dedicated to irrigation, and the Biosolutions International Event dedicated to the biostimulant and biocontrol supply chains.
Another new feature of this edition is Retail for the Future, dedicated to the future of the fruit and vegetable sector in modern retail with on-time research in collaboration with Think Fresh, and the Italian Berry Day dedicated to berries, promoted by NCX Drahorad and ItalianBerry.it.
Despite the uncertainty that has dominated the last year, there has been a huge international response, thanks also to the many virtual presentations of Macfrut that have taken place in recent months.
Confirmations are pouring in from Africa, which will have a dedicated pavilion, as well as South America and Eastern Europe.
One of the new features of the 2021 edition of the trade fair will be a broader offer thanks to the Macfrut Digital platform, which will allow participants to build new relations with “distant” countries.
On Monday 6 September, The China Day, a major event specifically dedicated to business with China, will be held exclusively online.
