Diversified Communications and IFEMA, the joint organisers of Organic Food Iberia and Eco Living Iberia, have today confirmed that this year’s event has sadly been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Spain and Portugal’s biggest trade event dedicated to organic food and sustainable products will now run in June 2021 at Ifema – Feria de Madrid.
The magnitude and unprecedented scale of the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent government restrictions has hit the lives and livelihoods of people and businesses around the world. While social distancing measures are expected to soften in the coming months, the Ifema venue is still operating as a temporary field hospital for patients with coronavirus until May (after which it will be dismantled and disinfected).
Diversified Communications’ managing director Carsten Holm says: “Like all businesses, we’ve been closely following the rapidly changing developments during these difficult times. Whilst we are all hopeful that the current tough measures on restricted social interaction will be lifted by late summer, it’s become clear that the best option for everyone involved is to wait and host an even bigger and better show next year.
“We appreciate and are incredibly proud of how important Organic Food Iberia and Eco Living Iberia is to the industry it serves – especially after such a successful launch last year. We are very sorry to disappoint the thousands of attendees that were planning on exhibiting and visiting. However, the success as well as the safety of our exhibitors, speakers and visitors has always been our priority and I know everyone will get behind this tough but necessary decision.
“The good news is that we will go into 2021 with an incredible amount of good will and support, plus lots of the planning already in place – such as our new international buyer programmes and more regional and international pavilions.
“People have been hugely affected by events of the last few months and it will change the way we live and make us reconsider our values and what’s really importance to us. The environment, sustainability, and consuming ethical, organic produce – supporting businesses that do good – will take on an even greater significance as we put our health first. We believe that there will be much more focus on increasing organic consumption once things start to return to normal. And Organic Food Iberia and Eco Living Iberia, together with our premier sponsor Ecovalia, all our incredible partners across Spain and Portugal (including Intereco, Agrobio Portugal and Portugal Foods) and internationally, look forward to playing an integral role in that development.”
Alvaro Barrera, president of Ecovalia, says: “We support the decision to postpone Organic Food Iberia to June 2021. An event as big and important as this deserves to be celebrated in the best possible way.”
Jaime Ferreira, president of Agrobio Portugal, says: “Organic products are still very much in demand. The amount of people interested in organic is increasing. We’re in this together and are already working on Organic Food Iberia 2021. Do not miss the event next year!”
Deolinda Silva, executive director of Portugal Foods, says: “Organic Food Iberia is, without doubt, the platform to export certified organic products to the global market. It not only boosts the exports of exhibiting companies but also the primary sector and industry in general. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 it is not possible to run the event in 2020. However Portuguese and Spanish companies, in partnership with Diversified Communications and IFEMA, will attract international buyers in 2021 and will increase the level of business of organic products. Together, we will work to make Organic Food Iberia 2021 the best event ever!”
Organic Food Iberia and Eco Living Iberia will take place on 9-10 June 2021 in Hall 8 at Ifema – Feria de Madrid. For more information, please visit www.organicfoodiberia.com and www.ecolivingiberia.com.
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