The international fruit and vegetable trade fair Macfrut 2025 officially opened its doors on Tuesday, 6 May, at the Rimini Expo Centre, EastFruit informs. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, during a high-level inaugural conference on the theme “Water is the Future.”
In his opening remarks, Minister Lollobrigida emphasized Macfrut’s growing role on the global stage:
“Macfrut is a fair that looks to the future. It opens to new markets, especially in Africa, offering mutual opportunities for food sovereignty, agricultural collaboration, and technology exchange. It is a space for dialogue, innovation, and real progress for Italian and international agriculture.”
The opening forum gathered some of the most influential voices in the agri-food sector, including presidents of ANBI, CIA, Confagricoltura, Coldiretti, ISMEA, and CREA, along with representatives from AICS and ICE-ITA. They addressed challenges and innovations surrounding water management, agri-sustainability, and the integration of artificial intelligence in modern farming.
Macfrut 2025 also marks the beginning of celebrations for Apofruit’s 65th anniversary, a milestone for one of Italy’s leading cooperatives in the fruit and vegetable sector.
A Record-Breaking Edition
This 42nd edition of Macfrut marks a milestone for the fair with:
• 1,400 exhibitors, over 40% international
• 1,500+ top buyers
• More than 100 industry events
• Thematic halls, The Healthy Food Show, and two field demo areas
• Three international symposia: Biotechnology, Potatoes, and Mediterranean Aromatic Plants
Among the highlights is the new Healthy Food Show, which kicked off with celebrity guests including Manuela Arcuri, Valentina Vezzali, Daniele Lupo, and Matilde Brandi engaging with chefs and food scientists on the importance of nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Partner Country and Region
This year’s Partner Country is Egypt, represented by 40 companies showcasing a wide range of fresh produce and agri-innovations. Meanwhile, Lazio is the Partner Region, proudly presenting its 11 certified PDO and PGI fruit and vegetable products.
Ukraine Also on the Global Stage
Ukrainian fruit and vegetable producers are also participating at Macfrut 2025, represented by the Ukrainian Horticulture Association, producers, importers and exporters from different parts of Ukraine. Despite the challenges faced by the country, these forward-looking growers remain committed to sustainable, high-quality production and are actively seeking new international partnerships.
The presence of Ukrainian exporters highlights the country’s resilience and growing role in the European fresh produce market.
A €60 Billion Industry in Italy
The fruit and vegetable sector will take centre stage at the three-day trade fair, whose production in Italy is valued at more than €17 billion, rising to around €60 billion when considering the entire supply chain, from seed to table. Fruit and vegetables account for more than a quarter of Italy’s agricultural production (28%) and, together with canned vegetables, for 18% of Italy’s agri-food exports. The sector comprises 300,000 farms, covering a total area of 1.3 million hectares.
Export growth reached around €6.5 billion last year (+6.3%). If processed products are included alongside fresh products, the value of exports rises to €12.5 billion. In the medium term, looking at the last five years (2019-2023), fresh produce exports alone have increased by 30.3%.
Macfrut 2025 is more than a trade fair—it’s a space where innovation meets collaboration, where sustainability and technology shape the future of food.
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