A strategic alliance between Cibus and Macfrut

A strategic alliance between the Cibus and Macfrut trade fairs in 2018. Next year, which was proclaimed the year of Italian Food by the Italian government in June, food trade fairs will cooperate with one another. Macfrut (Rimini from 9 to 11 May 2018) and Cibus (Parma from 7 to 10 May 2018) have signed an agreement to encourage operators and incoming foreign buyers to visit both trade fairs. The two trade fairs share the same focus on product innovation and internationalisation. Plant-based products and fruit and vegetables, fresh-cut produce with innovative recipes and ingredients, new consumer solutions, products with high service content and health-conscious orientation: these are just some of the common areas of interest. They also have several reference markets in common: not only Europe but also the Middle East, Asia, South Korea and others. The agreement between Fiere di Parma, Federalimentare, Cesena Fiera (the organiser of Macfrut) and Italian Exhibition Group (the company created from the merger of Rimini Fiera and Fiera di Vicenza) will entail a series of special offers dedicated to operators who intend to visit the two trade fairs on the simultaneous days (9 and 10 May 2018) for shuttle bus and train transport and entrance ticket purchase terms. An incoming programme has also been outlined, which, with the cooperation of ICE-Agenzia, will bring hundreds of foreign buyers to Cibus and Macfrut. In addition to accommodation, dedicated tours of the two trade fairs will be available for foreign buyers, along with visits to companies, market checks at retail outlets and much more. The alliance between Cibus and Macfrut was commented as follows by Renzo Piraccini, President of Cesena Fiera-Macfrut; Luigi Scordamaglia, President of Federalimentare; Michele Scannavini, President of ICE-Agenzia; Lorenzo Cagnoni, President of Italian Exhibition Group:  "We are aware of the huge potential of fruit and vegetables in the Italian agri-food business, in fact this sector ranks second in exports – said Renzo Piraccini, President of Cesena Fiera-Macfrut - This synergy provides more opportunities of dealing with international buyers." "Cibus is carrying on with its strategy of seeking alliances between major trade fairs exhibiting “Made in Italy” produce – said Luigi Scordamaglia, President of Federalimentare – After the synergies established in the last few years with other trade fairs, we now have an agreement with Macfrut, a cooperation between two specialised and internationally renowned trade fairs, with the goal of conquering new foreign markets. There is no room for neo-protectionism. Thanks to these highly professional trade fair initiatives, which are increasingly acknowledged at a global level, our agri-food exports are set to exceed the current record levels.” “This news has been received with great satisfaction – commented Michele Scannavini, President of the ICE-Agenzia – Such an agreement further strengthens the policy aimed at enhancing the Italian trade fair system, which has been promoted in the last few years by the ICE-Agenzia by the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development. The coalescence of Italy's “trade fair offer” increasingly promotes the image of Italian production abroad. As a matter of fact, the fresh and processed fruit and vegetable sector ranks first in Italian agri-food exports, with foreign sales worth 8.3 billion euros in 2016.” “The agreement signed between Cibus and Macfrut, a constantly growing successful event that we have been hosting in Rimini in the last few years, shows that major trade fairs can cooperate in a positive and innovative way - commented Lorenzo Cagnoni, President of the Italian Exhibition Group - I am very grateful to the organisers, as I am certain that if we keep heading in this direction, we can optimise the quality we offer and achieve significant business goals, especially in the strategic international scene.”  CIBUS, Parma, 7 - 10 May 2018, a benchmark event for Italian food products (organised by Fiere di Parma and Federalimentare) dedicated to industry professionals with approximately 3,000 exhibitors. The last edition involved 72,000 participants, of which 16,000 were international visitors and 2,200 were selected top foreign buyers.  MACFRUT, Rimini, 9 - 11 May 2018, organised by Cesena Fiera, is Italy's fruit and vegetable trade fair. The last edition involved 1,100 exhibitors and 39,000 visitors, of which 25% were from abroad and 1,200 were international buyers.