The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show is the world’s premier trade show for the fresh produce and floral industries, bringing together growers, shippers, wholesalers, supermarket executives, produce buyers, floral professionals, technology companies and supply chain leaders from more than 50 countries. Organized by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the event serves as the industry’s largest marketplace for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, produce technology and supply chain innovation.
For grocery retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and fresh produce suppliers, the Global Produce & Floral Show is one of the year’s most influential business events. New products, production technologies, merchandising strategies and consumer trends introduced at the show often shape supermarket produce departments for years to come.
Whether you’re searching for What is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show?, Who attends the Global Produce & Floral Show?, What is featured at the IFPA Show?, or Why is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show important?, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of one of the grocery industry’s essential trade events.
What Is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show?
The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show is the flagship annual conference and exposition produced by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).
The event brings together every segment of the fresh produce and floral supply chain, including:
- Fruit growers
- Vegetable growers
- Floral producers
- Packers
- Shippers
- Importers
- Exporters
- Wholesalers
- Grocery retailers
- Foodservice companies
- Technology providers
- Packaging companies
- Cold chain specialists
- Logistics providers
Unlike general grocery trade shows, the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show focuses exclusively on the businesses responsible for growing, moving, merchandising and selling fresh produce and floral products. It also features educational sessions, keynote presentations, networking events and one of the industry’s largest fresh produce exhibitions.
What Is IFPA?
IFPA stands for the International Fresh Produce Association, the world’s largest trade association representing the global fresh produce and floral supply chain.
Created in 2022, IFPA unites companies across the produce and floral industries through advocacy, education, networking, research and industry events. The organization represents growers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers and service providers working to strengthen the global fresh food supply chain.
Why the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Matters
Fresh produce remains one of the most important traffic drivers in grocery retail.
Consumers increasingly judge supermarkets by the quality of their:
- Fresh fruits
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Fresh-cut produce
- Floral departments
- Organic produce
- Local sourcing
- Seasonal offerings
The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show gives retailers an opportunity to identify products, technologies and merchandising strategies that strengthen these departments.
The conference also serves as a major meeting place for international trade, helping connect growers, exporters and buyers from around the world.
Who Attends the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show?
The event attracts senior decision-makers from across the fresh food industry.
Grocery Retailers
Attendees include:
- Produce executives
- Category managers
- Merchandising leaders
- Procurement teams
- Fresh department directors
- Supermarket CEOs
- Regional grocery executives
Retail buyers attend to identify new suppliers, evaluate products and strengthen sourcing relationships.
Growers and Producers
The show features growers representing:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Leafy greens
- Herbs
- Berries
- Citrus
- Tropical produce
- Floral products
Many companies use the event to introduce new varieties and expand retail distribution.
Importers and Exporters
International participation makes the show a leading marketplace for global produce trade.
Companies showcase products from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Foodservice Companies
Restaurants, distributors and institutional foodservice operators attend to identify fresh sourcing opportunities.
Technology Providers
Technology exhibitors showcase innovations involving:
- Artificial intelligence
- Precision agriculture
- Food safety
- Cold chain monitoring
- Robotics
- Automation
- Traceability
- Supply chain analytics
- Retail merchandising
What Products and Services Are Featured?
The exhibition spans nearly every segment of the fresh produce and floral industry.
Major categories include:
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Citrus
- Grapes
- Berries
- Bananas
- Tropical fruit
- Tomatoes
- Leafy greens
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Fresh herbs
- Value-added produce
Floral
The floral section includes:
- Fresh flowers
- Potted plants
- Floral packaging
- Floral logistics
- Merchandising solutions
Packaging
Packaging companies demonstrate innovations involving:
- Sustainable materials
- Modified atmosphere packaging
- Produce protection
- Shelf-life extension
Supply Chain
Exhibitors showcase:
- Refrigerated transportation
- Cold chain technology
- Warehouse automation
- Distribution solutions
- Traceability systems
- Logistics software
Retail Technology
Retail solutions include:
- Electronic shelf labels
- AI-powered forecasting
- Inventory management
- Produce merchandising systems
- Food waste reduction technologies
The show’s exhibit floor is organized into dedicated areas for produce, floral, business solutions, retail technologies and innovation, helping buyers quickly identify suppliers and technologies relevant to their operations.
Major Trends at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
Each year’s conference reflects the changing priorities of grocery retailers and produce suppliers.
Recurring themes include:
Fresh Produce Consumption
Industry leaders explore strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption through merchandising, nutrition education and consumer engagement.
Food Safety
Food safety remains one of the industry’s highest priorities.
Educational sessions frequently examine:
- Traceability
- Recall preparedness
- Regulatory compliance
- Supply chain transparency
Sustainability
Topics include:
- Water conservation
- Regenerative agriculture
- Sustainable packaging
- Carbon reduction
- Food waste prevention
Artificial Intelligence
AI applications continue expanding across:
- Harvest forecasting
- Crop management
- Inventory optimization
- Retail demand forecasting
- Supply chain visibility
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Indoor farming, greenhouse production and vertical farming continue receiving increased attention as retailers seek more consistent year-round supply.
Why Grocery Retailers Attend the IFPA Show
Produce remains one of the supermarket’s strongest competitive advantages.
Retailers attend the Global Produce & Floral Show to:
- Discover new suppliers
- Evaluate fresh produce innovations
- Identify merchandising ideas
- Improve produce quality
- Expand floral programs
- Strengthen sourcing strategies
- Learn about food safety
- Understand consumer trends
Many category decisions affecting supermarket produce departments begin with conversations held during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show.
How Is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Different From Other Grocery Trade Shows?
Each grocery industry conference focuses on a different segment of food retail.
| Conference | Primary Focus |
| IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show | Fresh produce, floral, agriculture and supply chain |
| IDDBA Annual Show | Dairy, deli, bakery and prepared foods |
| Summer Fancy Food Show | Specialty foods and gourmet products |
| Natural Products Expo West | Natural and organic products |
| FMI Midwinter Executive Conference | Grocery executive leadership |
| NGA Show | Independent grocery retailers |
| PLMA Private Label Trade Show | Store brands |
| Groceryshop | Grocery technology and digital commerce |
The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show stands apart because it serves the entire fresh produce and floral value chain—from farms and greenhouses to distribution centers and supermarket produce departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Known For?
The event is known as the fresh produce and floral industry’s largest annual trade show, bringing together growers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and suppliers from around the world.
Who Organizes the Global Produce & Floral Show?
The event is organized by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).
Is the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Open to Consumers?
No.
The show is a business-to-business event designed for grocery retailers, produce companies, wholesalers, foodservice operators, technology providers and other qualified industry professionals.
Why Do Supermarket Produce Buyers Attend?
Produce buyers attend to discover new products, meet suppliers, evaluate sourcing opportunities, identify merchandising ideas and stay informed about industry trends.
What Types of Companies Exhibit?
Exhibitors include:
- Growers
- Packers
- Shippers
- Importers
- Exporters
- Packaging companies
- Cold chain providers
- Technology companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Food safety providers
Why Food Trade News Covers the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show consistently highlights the trends shaping one of grocery retail’s most important departments. From advances in fresh produce merchandising and floral marketing to innovations in food safety, traceability, logistics and agricultural technology, the event offers valuable insight into the future of fresh foods.
Food Trade News covers the Global Produce & Floral Show because our readers—including supermarket executives, produce directors, wholesalers, distributors, growers and food manufacturers—depend on timely reporting about the developments affecting fresh departments. Our coverage includes product introductions, industry research, business announcements, technology innovations and merchandising strategies that influence grocery retail throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show at a Glance
Event: IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
Organizer: International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
Industry: Fresh Produce, Floral, Grocery Retail and Agriculture
Primary Audience: Grocery retailers, produce buyers, growers, wholesalers, distributors, exporters, importers, foodservice operators and technology providers
Conference Features: International trade show, keynote presentations, educational sessions, networking events, supplier meetings and innovation showcases
Major Categories: Fresh fruits, vegetables, floral products, packaging, food safety, cold chain logistics, agricultural technology, retail merchandising and supply chain solutions
Best For: Produce executives, category managers, supermarket operators, growers, distributors, wholesalers, logistics providers, exporters and professionals involved in the global fresh produce and floral supply chain
The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show remains the industry’s leading event for fresh produce and floral professionals. From global sourcing and agricultural innovation to supermarket merchandising and supply chain technology, the conference provides an unparalleled view of the trends, partnerships and products shaping the future of fresh food retail.