At 3 – 5 of October… in IFEMA, Madrid (Spain), it will be FRUIT ATTRACTION. So, to know more about this fair, we are pleased that we have interview with “Maria José Sánchez” who is the Director of the fair. And we asked her
What news do we have for this 2023 edition?
The real novelties come from the exhibiting companies, in addition to the content of the conferences and congresses. This special edition is confidently expected to be a success, which responds to the support of the industry. Without this, this edition would not have been possible.
This year, the star product will be lettuce and the Noted Importing Countries will be Canada, the United States and Brazil. We will break all previous records, and hopefully the visitor record will be broken too.
What makes Fruit Attraction different from other fairs?
That we are one of the most important trade fairs in the world is a fact. Our growth has had a big impact. Due to its internationalisation, the representativeness of countries and products, the dates, the situation of Madrid and Spain as the gateway from Latin America to Europe, due to work of the industry itself, due to FEPEX.
What markets do you expect to strengthen their position with this 15th edition?
As I was saying, this year the Noted Importing Countries are Canada, the United States and Brazil. With this action trade relations between the countries of the European Union and these non-EU markets will be promoted, backed by a full programme of round tables, guided tours of the fair and B2B sessions.
Fruit Attraction is the ideal place for meetings of national and international operators; how many exhibitors will attend this fair? Can you tell us about this edition: number of halls, exhibitors, countries, etc.?
This is a very special year for us as the fair is 15 years old. And we are celebrating in style, with more than 1,800 companies and 90,000 professionals from 135 countries, who will meet from 3 to 5 October. More than 60,000 square metres of fruit and vegetable produce on offer in 9 halls at the fairground. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the largest surface area of all the editions.
Which topics or key themes related to the food industry will this year’s programme be based on?
During the three days many events take place on the stands. On an institutional level, we once again offer a wide programme of conferences and congresses, including Biofruit Congress, Biotech Attraction, the Grape Attraction Congress, Fresh Food Logistic The Summit, Lettuce Attraction, among others.
Sustainability & innovation are 2 terms that are present in this edition. Can you tell us a bit more about them?
Fruit Attraction is once again committed to transformation solutions through innovation, sustainability and digitalisation with Smart Agro, an area specialising in innovative products that apply ICT to the fruit and vegetable industry, and Biotech Attraction, a specialised space for research and technological development in plant genomics. Once again it reinforces Ecorganic Market, the space for organic products that continues to gain strength.
Fruit Attraction is the place chosen by companies to present their new products worldwide. The cutting edge of the international industry can be found at the fair in the Innovation Hub space, which brings together all the innovation and the best products and services of the participating exhibitors. In this area, every year the Innovation Hub Awards reward those exhibiting and co-exhibiting companies that submit the best project, product or service, placing an emphasis on the criteria of innovation, sustainability, applied technology and knowledge.
A 30-year journey, a huge experience full of successes and challenges. Our readers in the Middle East and North Africa will be happy to meet you, María José Sánchez. What are your expectations for this edition?
That’s it, I’ve had a relationship with IFEMA MADRID for more than 30 years, as the person in charge of many professional trade fairs and events for the general public. I joined the fruit and vegetable industry when I took over the management of IFEMA MADRID’s agri-food fairs in 2021.
My job as director of Fruit Attraction is to offer the industry’s professionals the best commercial instrument, the great international promotion platform for companies and the industry. With the support of an exceptional team, we are doing everything in our power to continue consolidating and positioning the fair with the sole objective of ensuring that companies see their business expectations fulfilled.
About MARÍA JOSÉ SÁNCHEZ
CV MARÍA JOSÉ SÁNCHEZ- DIRECTOR OF FRUIT ATTRACTION
María José Sánchez has been linked to IFEMA MADRID for 30 years. In October 2021 she takes over from Raúl Calleja as director of the agro-industrial, food and gastronomy trade fairs organised by the Institution. Currently the shows that form part of this portiolio are Fruit Atraction, Meat Atraction, Intersicop, Vendibérica and Eat2go, in addition to the digital projects LIVEConnect.
A graduate in Law, she began her professional career at IFEMA MADRID 30 years ago as commercial manager of various shows. In 2000 she took over the management of different professional fairs linked to the furniture industry, decoration, the world of interior design, as well as avant-garde design and fashion for the home. He was also responsible for other events in the field of education and health, as well as events for the general public. In 2013 he went on to direct three of IFEMA MADRID’s most veteran shows: Intergiti, Bisutex and MadridJoya, in their two annual editions, as well as Digicom and Expofranquicia, and to continue at the head of ExpoÓptica.
