A major global event that will shine a spotlight on table grapes, featuring leading global players, market trends, marketing policies, new cultivars, technical and technological innovations, a large test field, and guided tours. As the star product of the 41st edition of Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable sector, to be held at the Rimini Expo Centre from 8 to 10 May 2024, table grapes will be in the global spotlight at the Macfrut Table Grape Symposium, an event dedicated to supply chain professionals that is set to attract leading experts and industry players from all over the world. This event will revolve around four themes: an international symposium with the participation of companies and technical and scientific experts, field visits to learn more about technical aspects, an exhibition area with the world’s leading producers in the sector, and networking activities.
The Symposium will be coordinated by Bruno Mezzetti of the Marche Polytechnic University. ‘Globally, the production of table grapes is experiencing a positive growth trend, which is estimated at 5.7% and could even reach 14% in Europe, especially since new planting systems with new seedless table grape varieties have been developed, in particular in Italy. In fact, Italy is the number one table grape producing and exporting country in Europe: it produces approximately 1 million tonnes of grapes, of which almost two-thirds in Apulia and one-third in Sicily. This is a very important achievement, also from an economic and employment perspective. The symposium will give internationally renowned researchers and experts in the public and private sectors the opportunity to get together and discuss issues relating to innovation and plant variety protection, plant propagation techniques and the quality of plant nursery supplies, new production systems featuring precision farming techniques, quality, and market management.’
Scheduled during the three-day trade fair Macfrut, starting with a presentation of the Symposium (Wednesday 8 May), this event will offer specialised professionals in-depth insights into genetic programmes, selection and new cultivars, innovative precision farming and production system management techniques (soil and soilless production, water management, nutrition, and pest and disease management), conservation and processing techniques, post-harvest quality management, and the varieties preferred by consumers.
On Thursday 9 May, Macfrut Table Grape Global Players will take place: an event featuring leading global players, with a special focus on market trends and production performance.
The last day, Friday 10 May, will be dedicated to Table Grapes in the Field, which will include guided technical tours with experts of a test field that will be set up at the trade fair.
