AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND FORESTS PRESENTED THE II EDITION OF “FRUTECH” MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT&VEGETABLE EXPO
It was presented in the Cavour “Parlamentino” room at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Forestry, in Rome, “Frutech – Mediterranean Fruit&Vegetables Expo”, the great Mediterranean trade fair event to the theme of agriculture and technological innovations, which will take place in Misterbianco from November 27-29, 2025 at the SiciliaFiera exhibition center. Three intense days in which the beating heart will be agriculture, innovations, organic produce and products from the processed belt.
Opening the proceedings, Masaf Undersecretary, Senator Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra pointed out that, “Frutech Mediterranean Fruit & Vegetables Expo has now taken on a strategic role in the agri-food fair scene, not only Italian, but also international, thanks to an organizational commitment that is particularly attentive to the theme of sustainability. A focus on production that respects the environment, but at the same time can and must also be sustainable in economic terms, because from this balance also derives the indispensable social sustainability. The transition of agricultural and food models towards a modern and competitive market also and above all passes through moments of important confrontation such as Frutech, which starts from Sicily to face the world strong in agrifood excellence, which only Italy can boast.”
In the speakers’ table was Senator Salvo Pogliese, who highlighted how it is, “A source of great pride to be here, in the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, masterfully held by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, to present the second edition of Frutech, an event that represents a strategic meeting point between the world of agriculture and that of technological innovation. This exhibition event was created with a clear vision: to enhance Italian agrifood excellence, promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the link between tradition and modernity. After the great response of the first edition, this year there is an even richer proposal in terms of content, exhibitors and moments of comparison. The fact that this presentation is being held right here, at the Ministry, shows the concrete attention of the institutions to a strategic sector for our country, not only economically but also culturally and environmentally. Frutech is a space for dialogue and planning where companies, young farmers, startups and research centers can build together the agriculture of the future. An agriculture capable of facing global challenges with local solutions, rooted in the territories but projected towards innovation. As a representative of the institutions, I will continue to support initiatives like this with conviction, because I am convinced that the revival of Italian agriculture also passes through events that focus on expertise, technology and vision.”
Also participating was Senator Salvo Sallemi, who highlighted the importance of territoriality in agriculture in Sicily and how a virtuous circle has been formed between agriculture and industry, an undisputed driver of the economy.
“Frutech is an event of international resonance for Sicily,” Nino Di Cavolo, president of the exhibition hub SiciliaFiera, concludes in his speech, “freshly named “European Capital of Gastronomy 2025,” a recognition that celebrates our history and agricultural and culinary traditions. Sicily boasts globally recognized agrifood excellence, where countless products enrich our tables daily and inspire world-renowned chefs, just think of the simple pasta with tomato sauce, the emblem of Italian cuisine.
“Frutech was created as a platform for operators and buyers to meet, an opportunity for Sicilian and Italian companies to forge synergies for the export of our excellence, but it is also a forum for constructive dialogue with institutions and associations committed to the protection and certification of a cutting-edge production chain. In fact, technology is another pillar of Frutech, a showcase for companies active in mechanization, research into new crops and grafts, crucial tools for the preventive safeguarding of our plantations. Think of the effectiveness of a drone in monitoring plant health. Frutech aims to combine technological innovation with the age-old wisdom of our farmers, custodians of history and culture, to bring the highest quality products to our tables. A special focus is dedicated to the new generations, with moments of discussion with the academic world, led by Professor Alessandra Gentile of the University of Catania, head of the technical-scientific committee. This three-day event will offer insights into current and future scenarios, ministerial and regional guidelines, creating a constructive dialogue for the entire production chain, involving companies, professionals and researchers. Frutech is an exhibition event, which stands as a careful observer of national and European scenarios and at the same time looks beyond the Mediterranean, those countries today in great expansion such as, the Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia and others that seem so far away, but to Sicily really very close.”
Scientific research emerges as a strategic driver for a forward-looking agriculture: sustainable, efficient and resilient to global challenges. Investing in this area is crucial to increase productivity, minimize environmental footprint, elevate product quality, ensure food security, address climate change, and promote harmonious rural growth.
The head of the technical-scientific committee, Professor Alessandra Gentile, full professor of General Arboriculture and Tree Crops, of the University of Catania, emphasizes how “After the success of last year’s first edition, which saw a favorable response from operators and exhibitors, we believe that even more this second edition can be an opportunity for a scientific update and to take stock with respect to the many problems and opportunities for development of the agri-food sector in the Mediterranean basin. Also this year we are engaged in the organization of some scientific events and some moments of confrontation between the operators of the sector and the world of research. We believe that the transfer of innovations is the key to face the challenges that the different supply chains are facing, related to the current climate change, the international conjuncture and the changed scenario of acquisition of factors of production. Particular attention will be paid to the quality aspects of products, fresh and processed, to improving the efficiency of inputs and water, to new defense strategies, to the traceability of production, and to the use of new technologies. These are all central topics in the current debate on the new agriculture and therefore need a moment of confrontation between Italian and foreign operators, and in-depth discussion between all the players in the supply chain.”
Participating this year is Crea (Council for Research in Agriculture and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, ed.), researcher and head of the Acireale office, Silvia Di Silvestro explained: “CREA, Italy’s main research organization dedicated to agrifood supply chains, supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (Masaf), participates in FRUTECH to implement the network of relationships with companies, both to facilitate the transfer of innovations resulting from research, and to listen, get to know and acquire the needs of operators in the sector and markets, making them become research objectives. CREA also engages and collaborates in numerous projects with universities and other research organizations in order to share knowledge and innovative technologies, thus facilitating the development and practical application of innovative ideas.”
Many speakers during the press conference included Felice Assenza, head of the department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Forestry and Marco Lupo, also head of the department, and the president of the Consorzio di Tutela della IGP Pomodoro di Pachino, Sebastiano Fortunato.
Three intense days of networking, meetings, panel discussions inside the largest exhibition area in the South, in the heart of the Mediterranean. Giving an international connotation is the presence of international buyers and honorary consuls who will have the opportunity to meet companies in the sector and build bridges with the nations they represent.
“Frutech – Mediterranean Fruit&Vegetables Expo” enjoys the patronages of: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Council for Research in Agriculture and Analysis of Agricultural Economics(CREA); Sicilian Regional Assembly; Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries; Metropolitan City of Catania; Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Sicily; City of Misterbianco; University of Catania; Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria; Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria-Department of Agriculture; Job Placement; Order of Agronomists and Foresters Province of Catania; National Association of Young Innovators; Assosementi; National Agribusiness Entrepreneurs Association; Fedagromercati-Confcommercio; Sustainable Italy Foundation; Italmercati; Italian Society of Nematology; Food Bank of Sicily; CAAB Bologna; Compagnia delle Opere Sicilia; Confagricoltura Sicilia; MAAS Agro-Food Markets Sicily.
