Macfrut, the international fruit and vegetable fair, is back in Rimini, from 4 to 6 May next, a showcase of a leading Italian economy chain capable of closing 2021 with exports up by 6% to 5.5 billion and a balance of the trade balance of over 1 billion.
800 exhibitors will take part in the exhibition scheduled in the Romagna city - presented today in Vignola, in the Modenese area - with a foreign presence that touches 25% and the main protagonists of the sector while 500 accredited buyers at the Rimini event that will see, among the news , the 'Cherry Symposium';
the first European exhibition dedicated to Medicinal Herbs and Spices and an area dedicated to drones and robots.
Macfrut 2022 - now in its 39th edition - will be inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture Stefano Patuanelli, in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Marina Sereni, and three African agriculture ministers: those of Ethiopia, the Republic Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
As mentioned, among the novelties, the 'International Cherry Symposium' stands out, in homage to the cherry, the symbolic fruit of this edition which will be hosted on the first day and which will be anticipated by a higher education school scheduled for 2 and 3 May at the Bertinoro University Center.
Space, again, at the first European exhibition dedicated to the world of spices, medicinal and aromatic herbs, the 'Spice & Herbs Global Expo', which makes its debut with over 50 exhibitors representing the entire supply chain. exotic fruit at the center of the third edition of the 'Tropical Fruit Congress'.
At the Romagna fair, then, the 'Biosolutions International Event' will be staged, an international exhibition dedicated to natural products for the defense, nutrition and biostimulation of plants and there will be space for thematic areas such as that on water saving, 'Acquacampus', the one dedicated to Smart Agriculture with the latest news in drones, robots and sensors and an exhibition area with 12 start-ups promoted by Art-Er, Unibo in collaboration with Crédit Agricole Italia.
There was a strong foreign presence with almost 25% of exhibitors arriving from abroad and particular attention to the African continent with the 'Africa Days'.
Partner of the event is the Emilia-Romagna Region, with its 44 certified products - 19 Dop and 25 PGI - for a value that alone exceeds 3.3 billion.
Finally, at the same time as Macfrut, the Poultry Forum will be held, an international event dedicated to the poultry sector, promoted by Fieravicola, in collaboration with Assoavi and Unaitalia.
Macfrut; record fruit and vegetable exports at 5.5 billion in 2021
The Italian fruit and vegetable sector in 2021 went to the archive with exports up by 6% to 5.5 billion, "the highest figure in its history".
This is what emerged, highlighting the numbers lined up by Ice-Agenzia, during the press conference dedicated to Macfrut, the international fruit and vegetable fair, scheduled in Rimini, from 4 to 6 May next, and presented in Vignola, in Modenese, the 'homeland' of the cherry, the fruit at the center of the 39th edition of the Rimini show.
Last year, again, the trade balance was equal to over one billion and fruit and vegetables represented the second item of agri-food exports behind only wine capable of sales abroad for 7.1 billion.
Furthermore, in the country, fruit and vegetables represent 25,
5% of the national agricultural production for a value of over 15 billion thanks to the work of about 300,000 companies.
Among the individual countries, Germany - which is worth almost a third of the foreign market - recorded a + 5%, Austria a + 10%, Switzerland a + 8.2%, the United Kingdom a + 7.8%.
In the global market, Italy is the seventh exporter of fruit and vegetables in the world, the second in Europe which sees Spain in the lead, which remains the world's leading exporter in value.
President Macfrut, the watchword is optimism
"We are a different fair that has made, does and wants to make diversity its strong point. There are problems at an international level but the watchword is optimism: you will touch the desire to start again".
Thus, Renzo Piraccini, President of Cesena Fiere and Macfrut, the international fruit and vegetable fair, scheduled in Rimini, from 4 to 6 May next, presented in Vignola, in the Modenese area, 'homeland' of the cherry, fruit at the center of the 39 / he edition of the Rimini show.
In Rimini, he observes at a press conference, "we have completed all the exhibition spaces: it is something that fills us with satisfaction because the international situation is what it is and there are areas that are closed, like China".
This is why Macfrut, Piraccini points out, "we really played as a team, there
it was a strong push to be able to make a great event.
There are all the conditions to do this: the fruit and vegetable numbers of 2021 tell us that things are turning in the right direction.
Eight months after the previous edition - the president says - there are 800 exhibitors and the share of foreign exhibitors has reached 25% after historically being 20%, moreover we have registered 500 buyers on the platform and hundreds of appointments have already been registered ". And Roberto Luongo, general manager of the Ice, also bets on the event, present in the video link, convinced that the Romagna fair can become the world reference point for the sector. "The role of the agency is to make this fair more and more important:
we have to give ourselves two or three editions so that Macfrut can become the most important fair in Europe and in the world in the fruit and vegetable sector.
This - he adds - because Italy and the Region deserve it.
We must work together to launch this challenge: our country, I repeat, deserves it and when Italy works together it is a winner.
We must have the conviction and the will to do it: no country has the entire Italian supply chain from harvesting machines to processing, from packaging to conservation.
We must highlight it - concludes Luongo - so that the whole world says: 'let's go to Macfrut in Rimini because it is the world appointment "of the sector.
We must work together to launch this challenge: our country, I repeat, deserves it and when Italy works together it is a winner.
We must have the conviction and the will to do it: no country has the entire Italian supply chain from harvesting machines to processing, from packaging to conservation.
We must highlight it - concludes Luongo - so that the whole world says: 'let's go to Macfrut in Rimini because it is the world appointment "of the sector.
We must work together to launch this challenge: our country, I repeat, deserves it and when Italy works together it is a winner.
We must have the conviction and the will to do it: no country has the entire Italian supply chain from harvesting machines to processing, from packaging to conservation.
We must highlight it - concludes Luongo - so that the whole world says: 'let's go to Macfrut in Rimini because it is the world appointment "of the sector.
Mammi, extraordinary Macfrut, essential fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables "is a fundamental sector for our agriculture and Macfrut is an extraordinary event. It's nice to meet again for the second time after a period of two" difficult years: "looking into each other's eyes is a beautiful moment, of hope, of rebirth" .
Thus, the Regional Councilor for Agriculture of Emilia-Romagna, Alessio Mammi spoke at the press conference dedicated to Macfrut, the international fruit and vegetable fair, scheduled in Rimini, from 4 to 6 May next, presented in Vignola, in the Modena area , the 'homeland' of the cherry, the fruit at the center of the 39th edition of the Rimini show.
"The fair is already good news - he argues - in addition it is a high quality fair in which Emilia-Romagna, which is a partner, will be seen: it will be present with a very nice stand,
a pavilion that will be noticed, with all our products ". On the other hand, continues the regional councilor," fruit and vegetables is an indispensable sector not only for Emilia-Romagna but for the country and for Europe.
After two years of pandemic and now with the war in Ukraine, we realize how necessary it is to have a competitive agriculture that provides food security.
The pandemic - adds Mammi - told us that there are very important supply chains that a country cannot give up, that it cannot abdicate, that cannot be placed in a corner between these there is fruit and vegetables that must be protected "also in light of events such as "climate change, drought.
Emilia-Romagna - he concludes - will focus on fruit and vegetables with research and knowledge;
with investments by companies that need to be supported and with the help of companies to enhance their work on the market.
The Region has invested in these three directions and will continue to do so ".