From 6 to 8 October, Fruit Attraction will once again turn Madrid into the global meeting point for the fruit and vegetable sector. Organised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, the trade fair has already reached over 90% occupancy five months ahead of the event. This was confirmed by its director, María José Sánchez, during the presentation of the 18th edition, alongside Cecilio Peregrín and Ignacio Antequera, president and director of FEPEX respectively, and María Naranjo, director of the Food Industry at ICEX.
To date, the allocated net exhibition space has reached 72,000 m², just 2,000 m² short of the total occupancy recorded at the previous edition. Companies from 63 countries have already confirmed their participation. Overall, forecasts for the upcoming edition are highly positive, with expectations of more than 2,500 companies, 80,000 m² of fruit and vegetable offering, and over 121,000 professionals from 150 countries.
Fruit Attraction 2026 will occupy 10 halls of the venue, covering a gross area of 162,000 m², and will maintain the same layout and sectorisation as in previous editions to facilitate professional visits. Odd-numbered halls (3, 5, 7 and 9) will host the national offer, as well as the Innova&Tech area. Even-numbered halls (4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14) will feature the international offer, bringing together companies from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and beyond, along with the Fresh Food Logistics area, once again located in Hall 4. In addition, most halls will include the Auxiliary Industry area, ensuring representation across the entire value chain.
This year, potatoes will be the star product, recognised as a strategic sector due to its contribution to food security and healthy diets.
The fair will also continue to promote the Organic Tour, a specially signposted route designed to enhance the visibility of companies offering certified organic products.
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Furthermore, Fruit Attraction will serve as a platform for international expansion through its International Buyers Programme, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ICEX and FEPEX. The programme will bring 700 major buyers, retail purchasing managers, importers and wholesalers from more than 50 countries. In this context, the Guest Importing Countries initiative will highlight China and the United Arab Emirates.
For the third time, Fruit Attraction will present the Best Stand Awards, sponsored by WAH, recognising exhibitors for creativity, design and sustainability across four categories: Most Original Stand, Best Design Stand, Most Sustainable Stand and Audience Favourite Stand.
The fair will also host the Innovation Hub Awards, rewarding the best projects, products or services in the sector, based on criteria such as innovation, sustainability, applied technology and knowledge. All submitted entries will be showcased in the Innovation Hub area throughout the three days of the event.
Once again, Fruit Attraction will act as a knowledge hub through its forums, offering a comprehensive programme of technical sessions featuring a wide range of topics and high-level speakers. Among others, it will host the Avocado Congress and the Biofruit Congress.
The fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, will take place from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October, from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, and until 4:00 pm on the final day.
