Very positive sentiment among exhibitors on 2nd day

Fruit Attraction once again saw strong attendance on its second day. It almost seemed as if the whole of Madrid was making its way to the IFEMA exhibition centre. While opinions on the crowd levels were somewhat mixed, the general sentiment among exhibitors was highly positive.

Exhibitors from outside Europe were accommodated in the newly opened Halls 12 and 14. The addition of these halls helped ease the flow of visitors, particularly in typically high-traffic areas such as the Latin America section.

Portugal
The Portuguese pavilion at Fruit Attraction seems to grow every year, and this year was no different. Several first-time exhibitors showcased their fruits and vegetables, as well as a section focused on things like plastic coverings and smart irrigation. Overall, the various seasons seem to be positive, with opportunities for apples, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, thanks to lower production elsewhere.

The Netherlands
Dutch companies were prominently represented again this year — not only in the Holland Pavilion, organized by Holland Fresh Group in Hall 6, but also across various stands throughout the entire exhibition space.

Italy
Even on its second day, Fruit Attraction confirmed its central role as a strategic hub for Italian autumn exports. During this period, the export markets for kiwifruit and apples are established, the table grape campaign comes to an end, and the groundwork for citrus is laid. Many operators used the event to strengthen relationships with international buyers, both existing and new, focusing particularly on the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and other non-European markets. Discussions also touched on imports of counter-season fruit, marking the start of a new commercial phase.

Particular attention was given to the table grape sector, which showed signs of resilience in Madrid after several challenging weeks. Producers, particularly from Apulia and Sicily, showcased traditional and seedless varieties, and there was a cautious revival of interest in seeded grapes. Moderate optimism was fuelled by demand from markets such as France, Spain, and Poland, although uncertainty remains over prices and the ability to consolidate the recovery. The prevailing view is that the next forty days will be crucial in determining the course of the season.

The fair also saw Sicily strengthen its institutional presence by taking part for the first time with a collective stand in a prominent location. This strategic decision ensured significant visibility and fostered new connections, particularly within the growing organic sector, which remains highly attractive to high-value markets such as Germany, France, and the United Arab Emirates.

Germany
The attendance of the German and Austrian companies has grown. An exporter mentioned that it is not only for Spain that they are here, but also for international business. The timing is excellent for top fruit companies as it is in the middle of the season.

"We feel the show is busier overall," observed a stand holder. "It seems the number of German exhibitors has been growing as well. Especially today, on the second day, there's been a lot of traffic. Even though we're located closer to the end of the hall, plenty of people are still coming by.

"Overall, we see this as a very good show. It's important for our team to walk around and connect with potential customers, but the number of visitors coming to our stand is definitely exceeding last year."

France
According to French exhibitors, there were huge crowds on the first two days, much more than last year. Another exhibitor outside the French pavilion (Hall 6) said that the stands in the two new halls were quite spread out but very attractive. Opinions were divided about the morning of the third day, with some stands remaining busy and others seeing few visitors. The general feeling in the French hall was that this year's event was even better than last year's, which was already "great." "Madrid has confirmed its place as a must-attend trade show, especially since it fits perfectly into the calendar, with many product campaigns starting right now."

Latin America
On the second day of Fruit Attraction, Hall 12 —dedicated to Latin America— was bustling from the early morning with meetings taking place at each country's stand. Being part of this fair means experiencing days filled with dynamic agendas, meaningful conversations, and exchanges that go well beyond business. It is an opportunity to strengthen ties, open doors to new partnerships, and highlight the increasingly important role of Latin American fruit production in global supply, as one attendee remarked.

Once again, Ecuador stood out with the largest pavilion, bringing together more than 60 agribusiness companies in a space of 1,300 m², representing nearly one-third of Hall 12. However, not all exhibitors are fully satisfied, as some consider that this location places them too far from the flow of international buyers.