There are numerous reasons for exhibiting at Viva Fresh Expo 2021, according to Ronnie Cohen, vice president of Vision Import Group LLC.

“We can,” he said, noting that this is the first in-person produce convention since Coronavirus shut down the country in March 2020.

Even in 2020, Salix Fruits substantially expanded its global fruit trading business, according to Alejandro Moralejo, the firm’s CEO.

Speaking by Zoom from his Argentine office, Moralejo said business in the United States was a key part of the growth and will increasingly be Salix’ emphasis.

One year after the 2020 Viva Fresh Expo was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the show makes its return this year.

A great effort has been made to make the March 26-27 Viva Fresh Expo a “safe, in-person event,” said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, headquartered in Mission, TX.

The TIPA staff and its active and valuable industry volunteer leadership has worked tirelessly for eight months to assure this Dallas event will be safe for participants to come and greet one another.

As vaccinations continue to ramp up around the country, and as more and more areas of the country take steps to reopen safely, the New England Produce Council Inc. announced March 19 a couple of key changes to its 2021 schedule.

Messe Berlin is cancelling its Fruit Logistica Special Edition 2021, which was to be held May 18-20 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"I’m quite sure today’s cancellation is no surprise to anyone,” said Madlen Miserius, senior product manager. “The coronavirus pandemic is lasting longer than expected. We wanted to make an onsite event happen in May. But the prospects both for international business travel to Berlin and for large face-to-face gatherings are too low.  And under these circumstances it’s simply impossible for us to meet face-to-face.”

The Produce Marketing Association has announced that the association will be bringing the industry back together — in person — in Monterey, CA, for the Foodservice Conference July 21-22. The yearly event is the time and place where foodservice and produce intersect, where important connections and partnerships are made.