FRUTECH 2025: RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD AT THE HEART OF THE CONFERENCES

FRUTECH 2025, the Mediterranean Fruit and Vegetable and Agri-Food Expo, aims to be the leading platform for technological innovation in agriculture and the agri-food supply chain, a meeting place for businesses, academia, and institutions to foster the sector’s transition to more sustainable, efficient, and competitive production models. The 2025 edition, which will take place in Misterbianco (CT) from November 27 to 29, 2025, at the SiciliaFiera exhibition center, will focus on the evolution of technical means and technologies applied to agricultural production, new sustainable cultivation methods, and the increasingly close dialogue between the agricultural world and the food industry.

“Frutech represents a turning point for the agri-food system of the South and the entire country – declares the president of the SiciliaFiera exhibition center “The agriculture of the future will be increasingly connected, sustainable, and data-driven. Our goal is to make research a shared value, capable of generating innovation and growth for the entire region.”

Frutech is based on a clear vision: scientific research as a driver of development. The Technical Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Alessandra Gentile, Professor of General Arboriculture and Tree Crops at the University of Catania, is composed of academics, researchers, digital technology experts, and representatives of Italy’s leading producers. This multidisciplinary group will ensure high-quality scientific and applied content.

“Research is the foundation of all sustainable growth,” Professor Gentile emphasizes. “Agriculture today is called upon to take up the challenge of innovation: artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and big data do not replace human experience, but enhance it. Frutech was created to unite these worlds and translate knowledge into concrete solutions, accessible to businesses and the local community.” Gentile continues: “This year’s theme delves into the dynamics of ongoing change: environmental conditions, market evolution, new agronomic choices, and technological opportunities. From a sustainability perspective, the program of scientific conferences will focus on the most innovative topics, fostering close dialogue between research and businesses to identify effective and rapidly implementable solutions.”

The first day will open with a session dedicated to the evolution of the agri-food market, featuring university professors, experts, producers, and representatives of large-scale retail trade. Discussions will focus on consumption, price dynamics, the promotion of local produce, and logistical and commercial innovations, to understand the future prospects of the fruit and vegetable sector.

Among the key themes, particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of technologies related to artificial intelligence, sensors, and production monitoring, both in the field and post-harvest. These tools improve product quality, traceability, and identity, strengthening consumer trust and the competitiveness of agricultural businesses.

A special focus will be on the role of genetic innovation, with a focus on Assisted Evolution Techniques (AET) and the valorization of germplasm, essential tools for developing more resilient, productive, and sustainable varieties.

Finally, Frutech will focus on young professionals and training for competitive businesses. Universities in Southern Italy (Catania, Messina, Palermo, and Reggio Calabria) will present the most innovative training programs in the agri-food sector, in dialogue with the needs of the labor market. The goal is to encourage young people to enter the manufacturing world and enhance their skills and talent for the benefit of businesses.

The scientific technical committee, chaired by Alessandra Gentile, is composed of: Giancarlo Colelli, full professor at the Department of Agricultural, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering Sciences of the University of Foggia; Mario D’Amico, director of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) for the four-year period 2022-2026, University of Catania; Silvia Di Silvestro, researcher at the Olive, Fruit, and Citrus Research Center of CREA (Olive, Fruit, and Citrus Research Center) and head of the Acireale site; Filippo Ferlito, associate professor at the University of Messina; Paolo Inglese, full professor of General Arboriculture and Tree Crops at the University of Palermo; Stefano La Malfa, full professor for the scientific disciplinary sector AGR/03 “General Arboriculture and Tree Crops” at the University of Catania; Cherubino Leonardi, full professor for the scientific disciplinary sector AGR-02/B “Horticulture and Floriculture” at the Di3A of the University of Catania; Barbara Manachini, president of the Italian Society of Nematology (SIN) and associate professor at the University of Palermo, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences; Biagio Pecorino, full professor of Agricultural, Food and Rural Economics, University of Catania; Marco Poiana, full professor at the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria in the “Food Technologies” sector.

Conferences, workshops, and technology demonstrations will make Frutech 2025 an open laboratory on the future of food, where research and artificial intelligence become strategic allies for the quality, sustainability, and competitiveness of Made in Italy products.

FRUTECH 2025 will therefore be a bridge between agricultural innovation and modern distribution, with the aim of promoting an efficient, transparent, and sustainable agri-food supply chain capable of showcasing the excellence of the Mediterranean region and driving the sector’s transformation towards a more technologically advanced and informed future. With a view to international expansion and openness, the 2025 edition will also involve buyers and professionals from various countries, including France, Switzerland, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Jordan, and India, thus strengthening FRUTECH’s role as a key Mediterranean showcase for global dialogue and trade.