Tropical Fruit Congress at Macfrut 2018

The main players in the production and global trade of avocados and mangoes will gather at MACFRUT to take part in a unique international event. The Tropical Fruit Congress, the first European summit on these exotic fruits, is going to take place at the Rimini Expo Centre on 10 and 11 May, 2018. The focus of this two-day event will be on examining current trends in the market, consumption and trade, but also scientific developments, technology and methods of selling products that are increasingly in demand in global markets. At the Congress, the spotlight will be on two products: Avocados and Mangoes, the major protagonists of the exotic fruit boom in Europe. The Forum will focus in particular on the Italian, German and French markets. As for the growing interest in these fruits, the data available confirm this trend. In the last few years, avocado consumption has grown significantly in the European and North American markets. According to data by the WAO (World Avocado Organization, Macfrut's prestigious partner), more than 350,000 tonnes of avocado were consumed in Europe in 2015. In 2016, consumption increased by 10% and, for 2017, it is expected to increase by more than 15%. This year, avocado consumption has grown exponentially in Italy, reaching +76%. The same applies to mangoes, regarded as one of the tropical fruits par excellence. Global mango production amounts to 40 million tonnes and is concentrated mainly in India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Peru. The main mango importers, instead, are the USA and the European Union. Mango consumption is also growing worldwide, especially in Italy where it has reached double digits, with volumes going up by 22% in the first quarter of 2017. The speakers at the Summit will be the world's leading experts on these tropical fruits: Xavier Equihua, CEO of WAO, Leonardo Ortega, Director of Research at the National Mango Board (USA), Carlos Crisosto of the University of California - Davis, Daniel Bustamante Canny, Vice President of Prohass Peru, Enrique Colilles, General Manager of Trops, the largest Spanish cooperative producing mangoes and avocados, and Emiliano Escobedo, CEO of California's Hass Avocado Board. Sector professionals from all over the world will discuss key themes during the two round tables that will be held as part of the forum. The Tropical Fruit Congress is organised by Cesena Fiera. The sponsors of the event confirmed so far include AgroFresh, Aweta, Ghelfi, Graziani, Mc Garlet, Nespak, Sermac, Spreafico, T.R. Turoni, Turatti and World Avocado Organization. Info:www.tropicalfruitcongress.comElena VincenziInternational press office Macfrut c/o fruitecomTel. 0039-059- 7863894