This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Fruit Attraction se consolida como cita de referencia para el sector hortofrutícola

Internationalization marked the appointment at Ifema, with 88 per cent of foreign professional visitors

Fruit Attraction becomes appointment of reference for the fruit and vegetable sector

David well22/11/2010

November 10, 2010

Walk through the Pavilion 10 of the Madrid trade fair grounds during the three days that lasted for fruit attraction was to note that, in the widespread pessimism, there a lively sector, as the color of the myriad stands of companies that were trying to show the best of themselves. The second edition of Fruit Attraction, organised by Ifema and Fepex (Spanish Federation of associations of producers and exporters of fruits and vegetables), concluded with all their goals met - business and professionals-, highlighting a strong trend towards internationalization, with 88% more foreign visitors in the first edition. After only two editions Fruit Attraction has already essential part trade fair of the sector, therefore, that for the next year, from 19 to 21 October, much of the exhibitors are willing to repeat.

The number of visitors to this second edition was 12.541, a 48% increase over 2009, of which 85% were national and 15% international from 72 countries. The number of international visitors was 1,861, increasing a 88% in relation to the first edition, highlighting Italy with a 16.6% of the total, France with a 13.9, United Kingdom with a 10.3, 9.9 Portugal Netherlands 6.2 and Poland 5.3%. Highlights the high capacity of decision of the trade visitors, of which 13 per cent were directors-general, a 24% propietarios-gerentes and 18% belonged to the commercial departments.

Fruit Attraction has been confirmed in this way as a major centre of business and has actively contributed to boost relations between the different actors in the chain. At the professional level, he was a great meeting point for the sector and distribution, both nationally and internationally.

Fruit Attraction 2010 brought together in this second edition to 452 direct exhibitors, a 28% increase in relation to the first edition

Fruit Attraction 2010 brought together in this second edition to 452 direct exhibitors, a 28% increase in relation to the first edition, of which 80% were producing and trading companies of the main autonomous regions and 20% suppliers of goods and services. In all cases, exhibitors highlighted the continuing influx of professionals to their stands, showing their potential for development with a view to future editions.

With regard to space, in this edition there were 11.658 square meters of exhibition, against the 7,400 square meters of 2009, representing an increase of 57%.

At the national level, the autonomous communities which provided greater number of visitors were Madrid (with 2,779 visitors), Andalusia (1998), Valencia (1511) Murcia (1057) and Catalonia (946). These communities were followed, Aragon with 386 visitors; Castilla y León with 301 visitors, Canary with 223 visitors, Castile - La Mancha, Spain with 266 visitors, Extremadura with 228 visitors and the Basque country with 143. They were followed by visitors to Galicia (113), Navarre (100) La Rioja (100), Cantabria (48), Principality of Asturias (41), Balearic Islands (33) and Melilla (2).

The members of the Organizing Committee unanimously congratulated the organizers of the event, Ifema and Fepex, and stressed that it had met the objectives posed, both commercial and professional. From the commercial point of view, Fruit Attraction has actively contributed to boost relations between the different actors in the chain, highlighting the high number and level of responsible for purchase of the European distribution. And in the professional field, it has proved to be a great meeting point for the sector and the distribution, contributing significantly to improved expectations in the short and medium term. All these objectives will contribute to broaden the social, economic and commercial base of this project in its next edition 2011.

Fruit Fusion, a space of creativity

Activity in the Pavilion was not only commercial, as part of its surface was fitted to accommodate a space of creation, FruitFusion, a space of dissemination and interpretation of the best products of the farm to the service of the kitchen and a unique platform of promotion to encourage the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the Horeca channelits target audience. Through more than a half of presentations, visitors could discover the true taste of the vegetables, learn the secrets of the cooking liquid and use a product so our as the peach in Calanda in the kitchen salt. It is in the hands of international chefs of the stature of the Sicilian Corrado Assenza (Caffé Sicilia) and the Mexican Rita Sánchez (the Alamillo Taquería). Together with them, an attractive poster for national chefs included Carmelo Bosque, (restaurant Lillas Pastia), Fernando del Cerro, (Restaurant Casa José), Jesús González Conejero, (restaurant La Cabaña), Francis Paniego, (restaurant Portal of Echaurren), Marcelo Tejedor, (Restaurant Casa Marcelo) or David Yarnoz (restaurant El Molino of Urdániz).

FruitFusion was the area of dissemination and interpretation of the best products of the farm to the service of the kitchen.

Jesus Veiga is the national competition I sculpt of fruit and vegetables

Taking advantage of the excellent framework that was the Fruit Attraction fair, Madrid was held the first edition of a Championship on the carving of fruits and vegetables, creative discipline that it will gradually gaining followers in our country. Ten finalists, eventually resulting in winning the gallego Jesus Veiga clashed in the final of this competition. In the second and third place were Juan Ginés, representing the Balearic Islands, and Jesus Vega, representing Madrid.

This first contest was an excellent jury formed by Judit Comes, current European Champion's size of watermelons, Joaquín Verdejo, Carver, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Pedro Larumbe, Carlos Bravo, of FrutArt, and Lourdes Plana, Director of Madrid fusion restaurant.

Parallel activities to all stakeholders

Adjoining rooms were also filled with presentations, discussions and round tables. Fruit Attraction hosted among others the I Forum International of table grape seedless, where professionals of greater prestige in the sector, presented his views on the current situation and future prospects in the areas of research and obtaining new varieties; Production techniques; and marketing and distribution. Fepex, as organizer, also organized their own technical conferences, in that from the business and scientific world, addressed themes directly linked with the production and marketing in the fruit and vegetable sector.

Under the title 'Integrated management of pests within 2014, A step forward or a step backwards?', the Europa-Agraria group organized a coloquio-debate?, it was attended by representatives of public and private sector-wide. The Assistant Director-general of means of production of the MARM, Luis Orodea, flailed the European directive on integrated management of pests which comes into force in 2014, and stressed that Spain has a lot of work done thanks to the work done by farmers in recent years.

Fepex organized a Conference that dealt with issues directly linked with the production and marketing in the fruit and vegetable sector.

The third edition of Fruit Attraction already have dates: 19-21 October

Fruit Attraction 2011 is already underway

The third edition of Fruit Attraction has already initiated its new work plan, with the holding of the first meeting of the Organizing Committee, which analysed the positive results of this year's Edition, and where were the new dates of the fairwhich will be from 19 to 21 October 2011, and which laid the foundations of performance of the next edition.

The trade fair concept of Fruit Attraction 2011 will be the same as in the two previous editions, organized as an open, modular stands business market, and that it was one of the most valued aspects by exhibitors and visitors. The modular format seeks the maximum profitability for exhibitor in a time of crisis and saving up to 300% of the cost of a booth with free design. The protagonists of Fruit Attraction 2011 will continue to be companies with distinct identity.

Fruit Attraction 2011 will be hosted again by Fepex and Ifema. In this way, the sector will continue to focusing the fair on real needs the sector producer and marketer of fruits and vegetables, and Ifema Madrid trade fair institution, will continue to provide the 'know-how' exhibition that have allowed it to be one of the main organizers of trade fairs in Europe