Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 2, 2026, from the General Directorate of Food — MAPA-FEPEX Agreement for promotion at international trade shows 2026-2027 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 9, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 9, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Spanish producers and exporters of fruits, vegetables, flowers and live plants |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Total public contribution | €400,000 (€280,000 in 2026 + €120,000 in 2027) |
| FEPEX contribution | €400,000 (same amount, under 50/50 co-financing regime) |
| Total agreement budget | €800,000 |
| Trade shows covered | Asia Fruit Logística 2026, Fruit Attraction Madrid 2026, IPM Essen 2027 |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-15008 |
Spanish exporters of fruits, vegetables, flowers and live plants have access to a concrete internationalization opportunity co-financed at 50% with public funds. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Spanish Federation of Associations of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Exporters (FEPEX) have formalized an agreement — published in the BOE on July 9, 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-15008 — to jointly participate in three international trade shows of reference in the sector.
This collaboration is not new: the agreement continues a trajectory initiated in 2013 that, according to the signatories themselves, has demonstrated positive results for the Spanish exporting sector.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement regulates the joint participation of MAPA and FEPEX in three international trade shows in the fruit, vegetable and ornamental sector. Below is the complete breakdown of each event and associated financing:
| Trade show | Year | MAPA contribution | Use of funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Fruit Logística | 2026 | Included in €280,000 for 2026 | Trade show floor, stand design and assembly, promotional activities |
| Fruit Attraction Madrid | 2026 | Included in €280,000 for 2026 | 50% of costs for invited international buyers |
| IPM Essen | 2027 | €120,000 | Trade show floor, stand design and assembly, promotional activities |
Expressly excluded expenses: meal allowances, travel and salaries of participating companies' own personnel. These costs are entirely borne by each company.
FEPEX obligations as managing entity:
- Advance the necessary funds for the execution of activities.
- Manage contracting with a minimum of three offers per service.
- Guarantee the participation of a minimum of five companies from the sector at each trade show.
Economic and operational impact
The agreement mobilizes a total budget of €800,000, with half contributed by public funds. For participating companies, this translates into access to first-class trade show infrastructure (stand, design, assembly) without directly assuming that cost.
The temporal distribution of public contribution is asymmetric: €280,000 in 2026 (two trade shows) and €120,000 in 2027 (one trade show). This means that the bulk of promotional activity is concentrated in 2026.
The treatment of Fruit Attraction is different from the other two trade shows: here the funds do not cover the own stand, but rather 50% of the costs of invited international buyers. In other words, the objective is to facilitate foreign buyers attending Madrid, which generates direct business opportunities for Spanish exhibitors.
From a return perspective, participating in trade shows like Asia Fruit Logística or IPM Essen with an institutional stand backed by MAPA offers visibility that would be difficult for a mid-sized company in the sector to afford individually.
Who does it affect?
- Producer exporters of fruits and vegetables associated with or linked to FEPEX.
- Exporters of flowers and live plants (especially relevant for IPM Essen 2027, the reference trade show for the ornamental sector).
- Cooperatives and producer organizations with export activity that can be integrated into the Spanish delegation.
- Service companies to the sector (logistics, packaging, agricultural technology) that participate under the umbrella of the FEPEX delegation.
- FEPEX as managing entity and responsible for the execution of the agreement.
Practical example
A Valencian citrus exporting company wants to be present at Asia Fruit Logística 2026 to open markets in Southeast Asia. If it participates through FEPEX within the framework of this agreement, it gains access to a space in the Spanish institutional stand with design and assembly already covered by the agreement budget (financed at 50% with MAPA funds). The company does not pay for trade show floor or assembly, but does assume its own travel, meal allowances and salaries for displaced personnel.
The minimum requirement is that there are at least five participating companies at that trade show. If the company is part of that group, it can access a high-impact international presence at a fraction of the cost that would be involved in attending independently, where a stand at a trade show of this caliber can easily exceed €20,000-30,000 in infrastructure alone.
What should companies do now?
- Contact FEPEX immediately to learn about registration deadlines for each trade show, especially for Asia Fruit Logística and Fruit Attraction 2026, whose preparation is imminent.
- Verify eligibility: check if the company is associated with any of the member associations of FEPEX or if it can join to participate in the delegation.
- Prepare commercial documentation in English (catalogs, product sheets, quality certifications) to maximize performance at international trade shows.
- Budget non-covered costs: travel, meal allowances and salaries for displaced personnel are the company's responsibility. Plan these expenses in advance.
- For Fruit Attraction 2026: explore whether the company can benefit from the 50% co-financed invitation of international buyers, previously identifying target buyer profiles.
- For IPM Essen 2027 (ornamental sector): initiate contact with FEPEX in the second half of 2026 to secure a place in the Spanish delegation.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does the Ministry of Agriculture contribute to this agreement with FEPEX?
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food contributes a total of €400,000: €280,000 in 2026 (for Asia Fruit Logística and Fruit Attraction) and €120,000 in 2027 (for IPM Essen). FEPEX contributes the same amount, bringing the total agreement budget to €800,000.
What expenses does the agreement cover and which are excluded?
The funds cover trade show floor, stand design and assembly and promotional activities. In the case of Fruit Attraction, they cover 50% of the costs of invited international buyers. Expressly excluded: meal allowances, travel and salaries of participating companies' own personnel.
How many companies must participate at minimum at each trade show?
The agreement requires a minimum of five participating companies per trade show. FEPEX, as the managing entity of the agreement, must guarantee this condition.
How can a fruit or vegetable exporting company participate in these trade shows?
Participation is channeled exclusively through FEPEX, which is the managing entity of the agreement. FEPEX must advance the funds, manage contracting (with at least three offers per service) and organize the Spanish delegation. Interested companies must contact FEPEX directly to learn about requirements and registration deadlines for each event.
Since when has this collaboration between MAPA and FEPEX existed?
The agreement continues a collaboration initiated in 2013. According to the signatories, this trajectory has demonstrated positive results for the Spanish fruit and vegetable exporting sector over more than a decade.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source (BOE-A-2026-15008)
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15008