Page 30 - AWA Vol. 42-No.4 issue

EVENTS

The 18th edition of the International Fruit and Vegetable

Trade Fair 2026 currently over 90% booked.

Fruit Attraction will once again convert Madrid into the world's
leading meeting point for the fruit and vegetable industry. Or-
ganised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, the trade fair is already
90% booked before it opens its doors. This information was
confirmed today by its director, María José Sánchez, at the pre-
sentation of the 18th edition, which was also attended by Ce-
cilio Peregrín and Ignacio Antequera, President and Director
of FEPEX, respectively, and María Naranjo, Director of the Food
Industry at ICEX.

The net exhibition space allocated to date totals 72,000 m2,
just 2,000 m2 short of last year's total, and companies from 63
countriesare confirmed to be exhibiting . All in all, the forecasts
for the next edition are very optimistic with participation fig-
ures of more than 2,500 companies, 80,000 m2 of fresh fruit and
vegetable produce on offer and an attendance of more than it is considered a strategic sector due to its contribution to food
121,000 professionals from 150 countries. safety and for maintaining a healthy diet.
Fruit Attraction 2026 will be occupying 10 halls -162,000 m2 The trade fair is once again promoting the Organic Tour, a
gross space- and will maintain last year's distribution and sec- specially signposted route within Fruit Attraction that will give
torisation to make it easier for industry professionals to visit. greater visibility to companies promoting organically certified
The odd-numbered halls -3, 5, 7 and 9-, will host the national products.
offer, as well as Innova&Tech. The even-numbered halls -4, 6,
8, 10, 12 and 14 will be hosting the international offer with Eu- In addition, Fruit Attraction will be offering a platform for in-
rope, America, Africa, Asia and other companies from outside ternational promotion and expansion with the 'International
our borders, as well as the Fresh Food Logistics area , which Buyers Programme' which, in collaboration with the Ministry
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ICEX and FEPEX, will in-
will once again be located in hall 4. In addition, to complete the vite 700 major buyers, retail purchasing managers, importers
exhibition offer, most of the halls will have an Auxiliary Indus- and wholesalers from more than 50 countries to the event. The
try area, ensuring the representation of the sector’s entire value 'Guest Importing Countries' programme , which this year is to
chain at Fruit Attraction.
feature China and the United Arab Emirates, also stands out in
On the other hand, the potato will be this year’s star product as this context. Circle 36 on enquiry card

Alimentaria FoodTech, a key meeting

point for the entire food industry

Alimentaria FoodTech, which will be held from 6 to 8 October
2026 at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, will bring together
the latest innovations in machinery, technology and ingredi-
ents for the agri-food industry. The meeting will present a wide
range of specialised offerings with the participation of the main
players in the sector and the support of business associations
and national research centres.
The show thus consolidates its position as a benchmark event
in Europe thanks to a unique transversal approach that covers
all phases of the food industry’s production process, from pro-
duction to conservation and commercial distribution. This lead-
ership is endorsed by the high level of occupancy recorded
five months before its celebration, with 85% of the 32,000 m² of
exhibition space already contracted.

Forecasts point to the participation of some 400 exhibiting ticipation MIMASA, Dordal, Handtmann, Weber, Vaessen Schoe-
companies, 20% of which come from 15 countries, mainly Eu- maker, Hiperbaric, ULMA, Frontmatec, Tetra Pak, Roser Group,
ropean, including Germany, Italy, Portugal and Turkey. To date, Haratek, CSB System, Brenntag, Impag Iberia and Bizerba,
leading companies in the sector have already formed their par- among many others. Circle 37 on enquiry card

28 Vol. 42 No. 4