Arboriculture in the spotlight at COPIL SIVAL 2025 review: visit to Vergers d'Anjou
FOCUS on one of the leading cooperatives in apple and pear production and arboriculture at SIVAL!
In an atmosphere that was both studious and warm, the SIVAL COPIL was able to discover, at the heart of the production lines, all the precision, modernity and diversity of arboricultural work: assistance robots, latest-generation grading machines, rigorous management of varieties... A privileged moment that highlighted the strength of our territory in this sector excellence and reminded us of SIVAL's expertise inarboriculture, one of the Show's core Sectors since time immemorial.
Les Vergers d'Anjou in figures :
- 83 producers from the Loire Valley
- 1,600 ha of orchards
- 814 ha apples and pears
SIVAL, the leading trade fair for plant production in the fruit and vegetable Sectors
For several years now, SIVAL has been the only show in France where the entire range of equipment and services dedicated to arboriculture is represented. The SIVAL 2025 Report shows a show in full swing:
- 713 exhibitors, 17% of them international,
- 25,000 visitors from 63 different nationalities,
- Over 100 conferences and forums over 3 days of the show
- 340 BtoB meetings at the VIBE (VEGEPOLYS VALLET INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EVENT) business convention to promote international commercial and technical exchanges.
Whether they are traditional fruit producers, players seeking to diversify, or researchers at the cutting edge of innovation, all find SIVAL an essential platform for developing partnerships, showcasing technological advances and anticipating tomorrow's challenges.
A focal point for arboricultural diversification
SIVAL is all the more of a strategic tool because the Sectors are facing multiple challenges: changes in cultivation practices, agro-ecological transition, adaptation to climate change, research into new varieties, economic performance... For example, many wine growers and market gardeners are choosing to diversify into arboricultureattracted by the commercial opportunities offered by fruit (apples, pears, berries, etc.). In such cases, SIVAL is a natural partner for identifying suitable technical itineraries, meeting other producers already committed to these changes, and benefiting from solid marketing support.
Albert RICHARD, a Chairman committed to the Sectors
A close link with the field
The appointment ofAlbert RICHARD, an arboriculturist from Corzé and President of Vergers d'Anjou, to head SIVAL in 2025 reflects a strong desire to anchor the Show's governance in the day-to-day reality of producers. During a visit to the Saint-Sylvain-d'Anjou cooperative, organized especially for the COPIL, Albert RICHARD emphasized the importance of showcasing arboricultural know-how and demonstrating in concrete terms the progress made in terms of automation, quality control, traceability and business model performance.
In fact, when he handed over the presidency last January, he declared that "SIVAL must continue to be the crossroads where producers, companies and researchers meet to move the sector forward sector reminding us that direct exchanges in the field are often the best way to understand the realities of production.
A COPIL representing all the players in the Sectors , to ensure that the Show is in tune with the Sectors' challenges.
The Steering Committee alone illustrates the strength of SIVAL. It brings together the key organizations and institutions in the specialized plant Sectors , and testifies to the relevance of the Show's offering, which is as close as possible to the problems encountered in the field: VEGEPOLYS VALLEY, CTIFL, Chambers of Agriculture, GEVES, INRAE, ASTREDHOR, L'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, Groupe ESA, IFPC, IDFEL, Région Pays de la Loire, ITEIPMAI, IFV, APECITA, ANEFA, MSA, FNAMS, Ville d'Angers, Angers Technopole, ALDEV, Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie, etc...
The idea is simple, and has been in the Show's DNA from the outset: to make SIVAL a show "by and for" the Sectors, where each structure can contribute to defining priorities and getting involved in setting up highlights (conferences, demonstrations, exhibitions, competitions...).
Innovation and future prospects : SIVAL at the cutting edge
A catalyst for innovation
Among the many events that punctuate the Show, the SIVAL Innovation Competition is a veritable barometer of trends in specialized plant production. In 2025, 60 projects were presented, resulting in the selection of 19 winners. A number of innovations specifically concerned arboriculture, including biocontrol solutions to limit pesticide use, thinning robots to improve productivity, varietal innovations and connected sensors to optimize irrigation and fertilization. Details of these innovations are available on the SIVAL Innovation website - Arboriculture category.
These technological advances perfectly reflect the Show's vocation: to enable producers to adopt the most efficient, environmentally-friendly tools, while maintaining essential competitiveness in the face of market trends.
Looking ahead to the major challenges of tomorrow
Beyond the technical aspects, SIVAL also aims to be an observatory of changes in specialized plant production. The conferences and forums organized in 2025, for example, highlighted :
- Agroecological transition, with a strong focus on alternatives to plant protection products
- Diversification as an economic resilience strategy for farms,
- New business opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
Whether consolidating the traditional arboricultural sector or supporting producers from other sectors (viticulture, market gardening) to develop an orchard, SIVAL pays constant attention to consumer expectations, the digital transformation of farms and the evolution of agricultural policies.
Looking ahead to 2026...
After the enthusiasm generated by the 2025 edition and the immersive tour of the Vergers d'Anjou, the date has already been set: SIVAL 2026 will be held in Angers from January 13 to 15. The organizing team and the COPIL intend to continue the work begun to further strengthen SIVAL's leading position in the fruit and vegetable Sectors , both in France and internationally.
The aim is clear: to ensure that the Show keeps pace with the evolution of specialized crop production, by encouraging innovation, the exchange of expertise and diversification. Whether they're already established or looking for new opportunities, growers will find this year's show to be a privileged place to collectively imagine the future of their Sectors and find the equipment and solutions they need.
"SIVAL must remain the common home of all Sectors, and arboriculture in particular. Nothing beats sharing ideas and solutions to meet tomorrow's challenges together." - Albert Richard
Full details of the forthcoming event, including conference programs and registration details, will soon be available on the SIVAL website.
The future of plant production continues at SIVAL!