Growth and sustainability were the stand-out messages at the first Fruit & Log exhibition and conference event (dedicated to the fruits and related products, processing, technology and logistics industries), which attracted a number of buyers, suppliers and supermarket owners with an eye on new business to São Paulo, Brazil, on 8-10 September.
The inaugural event featured a variety of seminars and lectures focusing on production, export and marketing trends, reportedly attracting 94 exhibitors and almost 2,000 visitors, according to organisers the Brazilian Fruit Institute (Ibraf) and Françal Feiras.
“The event served as a showcase for products to be exhibited and buyers to be actively involved in business meetings,” said Maurício de Sá Ferraz, manager of Ibraf’s Export Service Center.
“One of Fruit&Log’s strong points included the fact that it’s sector’s first business event. I was greatly satisfied because the public was select, specialized, focused on the fair, and interested in making commercial partnerships. The show exceeded my expectations.”
Abdala Jamil Abdala, president of Francal Feiras, was also pleased with the fair’s results. “Still in its initial phases, Fruit&Log shows its commercial potential, providing the platform to make good contacts between producers and buyers and serve as a forum to discuss issues of interest to the sector, as well as a showcase for products and new technologies,” he commented.
During the opening ceremony, Ibraf executive manager Valeska de Oliveira underscored the importance of sustainability in the produce trade, commenting that profitability, and even the survival of companies in the current market, is directly tied to guaranteeing a sustainable product.
“After all, the consumer is increasingly more aware and informed about the origin of foods. The fruit and vegetable chain must accompany this trend,” she emphasized.
Next year’s edition of Fruit&Log will be held on 27-29 September in São Paulo, Brazil. “We expect the show to grow by 50 per cent in its second edition,” commented Lucia Cristina de Buone, business manager at Francal Feiras.
