The 42nd edition brings growth: +6% in exhibition space, over 1,400 exhibitors (40% international), 1,500 top buyers, three global symposiums, and Egypt as partner country. The major new feature: The Healthy Food Show. Macfrut 2026 moves forward to mid-April.
Macfrut 2025 presentation
The presentation took place at the ICE Agency in Rome in the presence of Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida; ICE President Matteo Zoppas; ISMEA Director Sergio Marchi; Macfrut President Renzo Piraccini; Olympic champion Valentina Vezzali; and other guests and speakers from the Healthy Food Show.
Fruit and vegetable sector 2024: exports and consumption on the rise
Fruit and vegetables take center stage at Macfrut. In Italy, the sector is worth around €17 billion, accounting for 28% of national agricultural output and 18% of agri-food exports including canned vegetables. In 2024, exports rose 6.3%, reaching nearly €6.5 billion. Italy remains the second-largest exporter in Europe, behind Spain.
Macfrut, increasingly international
With over 40% of exhibitors from abroad, Macfrut confirms its status as Italy’s most international agri-food trade fair. Egypt will be the partner country, with 40 companies. Strong African participation includes Mali (60 companies), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (30+), and Ghana (20). Also attending: Tanzania, Iraq, and Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Ecuador. Europe is also well represented, with many Spanish producers. Over 1,500 top-level buyers will attend thanks to support from the ICE Agency.
The Healthy Food Show
Health starts with food. Macfrut tells this story with a new format designed for a broad audience, combining scientific authority and accessibility. The spotlight is on high-nutritional-value fruit and vegetable products, presented through experiences involving researchers, chefs, and testimonials.
Global symposium on plant biotechnology
Macfrut hosts the International Symposium on Biotechnological Tools in Horticulture, promoted by the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the Università Politecnica delle Marche. With participation from global experts, the symposium will showcase innovations in in vitro propagation, new resistant varieties, and omics-based genotyping and phenotyping. 200 participants from 37 countries have registered so far.
Specialized exhibitions
Macfrut offers themed areas curated by experts to explore current and future trends: the Plant Nursery Area, Biosolutions International Event (BIE), Red Planet for tomatoes, and Spices&Herbs Global Expo. This edition also includes MESMAP (International Mediterranean Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Agrovoltaic Systems & Technologies, and Acqua Campus focusing on water saving. Macfrut Field Solutions features a live demo area.
New features for 2025
New this year: the International Potato Symposium, Romagna Business Matching for networking and B2B, and the Berry Area dedicated to soft fruit. Macfrut 2026 will take place from April 14 to 16, offering new hall space and format opportunities.
