Fruit Attraction

We'll take you deep inside the people, products, and innovations that keep the world supplied with necessary fresh fruits and vegetables.

We just had a couple of intense weeks with major trade shows back to back with people hopping from Madrid, Spain, fruit attraction, followed with Orlando, Florida, IFPA 2026.

We reported on the activities of both of them.

And wow, it is where the rubber meets the road.

I think if you can do that and do it well, you're going to position the blueberry industry incredibly successfully for the future because of that strength that comes from the diversification component?

Well, sitting here in Madrid, we're at Fruit Attraction this week.

We're thinking about these things that can continue to build on the momentum that, quite frankly, we've been experiencing in the last five years.

And again, looking forward to maintaining the momentum.

It's a busy time of the year with two major trade shows back to back.

After leaving Fruit Attraction in Madrid, we are reporting from IFPA in Orlando, Florida, where we have a recording studio set up right on the trade show floor.

Yep, that's right.

You have to excuse me, I'm a little jet lagged.

And if recent industry conversations are any indication, sustainability and supply chain resilience, they will be hot topics this year.

expect plenty of discussion around labor challenges, climate adaptation, regenerative agriculture, packaging innovation, and new technologies designed to improve efficiency from farm to shelf.

Because technology is increasingly taking center stage at industry events, And Orlando, just like in Madrid, Spain, with fruit attraction, Orlando is no exception.

Artificial intelligence, data analytics, traceability, inventory management, and automation solutions are expected to be featured prominently throughout the trade show floor.

And let me tell you, everyone, we are rolling straight into a massive week for the produce industry.

And if you're just getting back from Fruit, uh, Attraction in Madrid, welcome home.

I just got back from an incredible run through in Philadelphia and New Jersey, visiting some of the most influential players in the import game.

And, uh, big shout-out to a, a lot of the people that you're gonna hear on the podcast today from Holt Logistics, Kopke, Capespan, Mouton Citrus, Sealed Sweet, and Greenyard, Lang Farms, Pardo Farms, and, and many other importers, distributors, and service providers across the entire industry.

And if you're flying in, driving in, or just, you know, getting back from other international travel, welcome to Florida, everyone.

And, uh, speaking of travel, I know, uh, like I said in the beginning, a lot of you are coming back from Madrid.

Uh, Fruit Attraction was just literally, uh, ended on, I, I believe on Thursday, and so people are flying in for the weekend.

Some people are flying straight from Madrid to Orlando, so hey, I, I can't wait to see you.

The structural impact, infrastructure capital is treating farm residues as a bankable feedstock.

[on-hold music] Now to products and policy, and this was a heavy week because harvest season and fruit attraction both landed.

Antobot unveiled the U502 in Madrid.

It is a UVC robot that treats several rows of soil-grown strawberries for powdery mildew, with commercial launch due in twenty twenty-seven.