The presentation of Macfrut in Zimbabwe was attended by two Ministers: Anxious Masuka, Minister of Agriculture, and Sekai Nzenza, Minister of Industry. Presented in the capital city of Harare, the 40th edition of the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable sector was attended by Umberto Malnati, Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Antonella Marucci, Regional Director of ICE – Italian Trade Agency, and Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of Office at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), along with about 90 sector professionals, association representatives and banking institutions. This event was organised in collaboration with Zimita, the association promoting bilateral cooperation initiatives between Italy and Zimbabwe.
Having attended the last two editions of the trade fair, Zimbabwe will also participate in the upcoming edition, to be held at the Rimini Expo Centre from 3 to 5 May, with a large delegation of companies. Sector professionals from this country, which produces blueberries, avocados, tropical fruits and horticultural crops, are especially interested in purchasing technology in order to develop crops for the regional and national market.
As part of the presentation, the Zimbabwean authorities hosted a small exhibition of horticultural crops and spices grown by local companies. The trade mission is still underway with visits to several commercial farms and packaging warehouses in Zimbabwe, and was preceded by a trip to South Africa where Macfrut was presented to local associations and entrepreneurs. South Africa has also confirmed its participation in the 2023 edition of Macfrut.
‘These were the last two trade missions in the international tour with in-person presentations of Macfrut held in 20 countries around the world, which included Central and South America, Africa and Eastern Europe,’ explains Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut. ‘It was a huge effort, which shows just how much this trade fair is growing internationally thanks to ICE-Italian Trade Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and several international bodies and institutions. The diversity of Macfrut was acknowledged and appreciated by all: it is not only a business trade fair, but also an opportunity for sharing knowledge and networking that brings many countries together. This is our strength and is what makes us stand out.’
