Rimini, 11th May 2017 – Italy has a negative import-export balance but there is room for huge growth. These are the trade relationships in fruit and vegetables between China and Italy. Cesena Fiera, along with IFEMA and Vnu Exhibitions Asia, has decided to focus on China, which is also the Partner Country of this edition of Macfrut. In fact, they jointly created Mac Fruit Attraction China, an exhibition project that is part of Horti China, to be held from 22 to 24 November 2017 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Shanghai.
China is particularly interested in Italy, as highlighted by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Italy, Li Ruiyu, during the Macfrut presentation in Rome. Up to today, only kiwifruit can be imported in China, whose market has recently decided to open up to oranges, with apples and pears shortly to follow. This is why the increasingly intense trade relations between the two countries are now offering important opportunities for Italy’s fruit and vegetable industry. Last year, Italy exported fruit and vegetable produce worth 27 million euros, a 12.8% increase on the previous year (source: ICE). The fact that exports from EU countries to China amounted to about 50 million euros gives us a picture of Italy’s key role in this market.
Moreover, analysts predict further growth margins and various signs of this are evident. In the next few years, the European domestic market is not expected to grow significantly in production or consumption. Therefore, the future of the fruit and vegetable industry is linked to its ability to develop in international markets. In addition, the lower shipping costs and reduced transit times allow for new business opportunities in new countries. And this is where China plays a leading role.
There are also signs coming from Chinese consumers, who prefer imported fruit: on the one hand, the prestige associated with the consumption of imported fruit, especially from brands from the Western world and, on the other hand, the guarantee of safety that these products generally offer.
Mac Fruit Attraction China
Organised by IFEMA and Cesena Fiera, the two trade fair organisers for the major fruit and vegetable producers and exporters – i.e. Spain and Italy – Mac Fruit Attraction China is a meeting place for Asian traders and for the international fruit and vegetable trade. The event is a new platform offering business opportunities to participating companies, so that they can make new contacts and establish partnerships in the Chinese market.
Mac Fruit Attraction China will be held as part of Horti China, organised by VNU Exhibition Asia, and will involve the whole fruit and vegetable industry, both Chinese and international, from seeds to technology, but also packaging, logistics, marketing and services.
After creating Mac Fruit Attraction MENA, with a second edition held this year from 22 to 24 April in Cairo, this is yet another key element of the international strategy adopted by IFEMA and Cesena Fiera, which increasingly represent a consolidated platform for the internationalisation of the fruit and vegetable industries in both countries.
VNU Exhibitions Asia
Located in Shanghai, VNU Exhibitions Asia is a joint venture between Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs (the Netherlands) and Keylong Mostre Service Co., Ltd (China). A major trade fair and exhibition organiser, it has been a leader in the Chinese trade fair sector for over 20 years. With more than 150 employees, the company organises about 20 exhibitions and conferences in China every year.
Cesena Fiera
Cesena Fiera is the organiser of Macfrut, a leading exhibition in the fruit and vegetable sector. The 34th edition of Macfrut is currently being held at the Rimini Expo Centre until 12 May.
IFEMA
IFEMA is Madrid’s trade fair institution, which, in collaboration with FEPEX of Fruit Attraction, organises the international trade show for the fruit and vegetable industry held in Madrid, bringing together more than 1,500 companies across the value chain of the fruit and vegetable industry, as well as 60,000 professionals from 110 countries. The 9th edition of the event will be held from 18 to 20 October 2017.
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