RIMINI, Italy — A delegation of more than 45 Ugandan exhibitors is pitching the country’s agricultural exports to international buyers at Macfrut 2026, a global trade fair held this week at the Rimini Expo Centre.
Led by Ambassador Elizabeth Paula Napeyok and the Uganda Embassy in Rome, the group includes representatives from Agritrade, Hortifresh and the East Africa Entrepreneurs Association. The exhibition, which runs through April 23, features participants and buyers from more than 80 countries.
Ugandan officials are using the platform to promote the nation’s horticulture sector, specifically highlighting premium fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, passion fruits and avocados. The delegation also hosted coffee tastings to showcase Uganda’s heritage in the coffee industry.
Napeyok said maintaining high product quality and improving transportation logistics are critical steps to securing a permanent foothold in European markets. She called for increased collaboration between farmers and stakeholders to meet strict international standards and enhance competitiveness.
Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida opened the event by addressing the challenges geopolitical tensions pose to global food security. He urged international partners to build more resilient and sustainable agri-food systems through cooperation.
The embassy scheduled a working dinner for April 22 to bring together officials and exhibitors to discuss long-term strategies for expanding Uganda’s presence in the global produce market.
