Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming edition of the international exhibition showcasing technologies for Mediterranean agriculture. The Bari fairgrounds are abuzz with activity as the entire exhibition area is being readied. Meanwhile, the conference program and the information and service activities on the exhibition’s website are running at full capacity.
The crucial organizational phase of the Agrilevante exhibition has been successfully completed. Taking place from October 5 to 8 at the Bari fairgrounds, this event presents the finest agricultural production technologies tailored for the Mediterranean region. Over 300 companies are participating, occupying the entire available exhibition space at the fairgrounds.
The offices of FederUnacoma, the Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, the direct organizer of the event, are diligently working on the exhibition’s setup and logistics. The exhibition focuses on six thematic areas: cereal growing, viticulture, olive growing, fruit and vegetable cultivation, livestock, and non-food crops. It encompasses a spacious exhibition section within the halls, a newly built structure to accommodate official foreign delegations in collaboration with the ICE Agency, dedicated facilities for the livestock exhibition, as well as outdoor areas equipped for robotics, 4.0 technologies, bioenergy chains, and skill tests with mechanical equipment.
The schedule of conferences and technical meetings is also being finalized. More than 20 events addressing relevant topics for Mediterranean agriculture will be organized. These events are promoted by the Universities of Bari and Foggia, sector publishers such as L’Informatore Agrario and New Business Media, as well as FederUnacoma in partnership with the Agriculture Department of the Puglia Region, Ciheam Bari, and Internationalia, the publisher of Africa Affari magazine.
Gardening: declining market in the first half-year
Data compiled by the manufacturers’ association reveals a significant decline in the gardening and landscaping machinery and equipment market during the first half of the year. The overall drop amounted to 14.5%, with varying degrees of decline across most product types. This downturn comes in contrast to the substantial growth witnessed in the market over the preceding two-year period from 2020 to 2021. Factors such as anomalous weather patterns, inflation, and rising prices have collectively hindered the market’s performance.
According to sales figures analyzed by the Comagarden manufacturers’ association through the Morgan survey network, there has been a 14.5% decrease in sales volume compared to the same period last year. Different product categories experienced distinct trends; chainsaws (-16.8%), tillers (-23%), garden tractors (-4.6%), and consumer ride-on mowers (-5.3%) all saw declines. Gardenvacs/Blowers (-12.3%) and traditional lawn mowers (-24.1%) also experienced decreases, although robotic models within the lawn mower category continued to show positive growth, with a 13% increase during the semester. Hedge trimmers (+11.5%) and professional-grade ride-on mowers exhibited growth of 81.1%, albeit with a limited number of machines.
Comagarden attributes the decline in sales to a combination of factors. Economic uncertainty and inflation, leading to higher list prices, have discouraged purchases, particularly among private individuals and hobbyists. Additionally, the abnormal weather patterns, characterized by prolonged droughts and intermittent floods, have adversely affected vegetation development, resulting in reduced investments in maintenance for public parks, private gardens, and sports facilities.
Comagarden acknowledges that the market downsizing was somewhat anticipated, considering the significant growth experienced during the COVID-19 crisis, lockdowns, and travel restrictions in 2020-2021. These circumstances had stimulated increased interest in green care, particularly among private individuals and hobbyists. However, a more stable economic environment and favorable weather conditions could potentially contribute to a partial recovery in sales during the second half of the year. The market is estimated to end the year with a deficit of around 6%, totaling approximately 1.2 million machines and equipment sold.