Expoforest 2023: world’s largest forest fair reaches fifth edition

Brazil boasts nearly 10 million hectares of commercially planted forests, predominantly of eucalyptus and pine. These thriving forests are the world’s most productive, serving as vital suppliers to various industries such as pulp and paper, reconstituted panels, steel, and processed wood products. The sector has attracted significant international investments in recent years, prompting existing forest-based companies to expand their industries and forests. Moreover, using wood derivatives has opened up new avenues for bioproducts from cultivated forests.

The inception of Expoforest, Latin America’s only dynamic forestry fair, can be traced back to 1977 when Jorge Malinovski, a passionate advocate for forestry harvesting in Brazil, organized a seminar in Curitiba. Over the years, the event grew in prominence, leading to the establishment of the Brazilian Forest Fair, Expoforest, in 2008. Even at its inception, the fair stood out as a modern and innovative gathering, attracting professionals and companies dedicated to the planted forest sector in the capital of Paraná.

During its second edition in 2011, Expoforest underwent a significant transformation, becoming Latin America’s first and only dynamic forestry fair—the fair showcased practical demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions for planting, handling, harvesting, and transporting wood. Since then, Expoforest has emerged as the premier event for launching technologies related to wood production from artificial forests on the global stage.

The 2011 and 2014 editions were held in Mogi Guaçu, São Paulo, within a clonal eucalyptus forest owned by International Paper, now Sylvamo. In 2018, in partnership with Sylvamo, Expoforest took place in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, near Ribeirão Preto. With 240 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors, the fair exceeded expectations, elevating Brazil’s position as a significant player in large sector-specific dynamic fairs.

“Each edition of the fair brings new interactions with the public and exhibitors. We have observed that major brands leverage Expoforest to introduce new solutions for the global forest sector. The fair truly serves as a market showcase. Professionals from around the world come to Brazil to experience Expoforest and seek innovations that enhance productivity and sustainability,” explains Ricardo Malinovski, director of Expoforest.

The upcoming fifth edition of Expoforest will take place from August 9 to 11, 2023, in Guatapará, approximately 40 kilometers from Ribeirão Preto. Once again, the fair will be hosted within a eucalyptus plantation area owned by Sylvamo, the master promoter of Expoforest.

The fair will span over 200 hectares, with a designated area for static exhibits covering 7.5 hectares and 1 kilometer in length. The dynamic segment will comprise 3.7 kilometers of trails and 150 hectares. In addition, two parking lots measuring 6 hectares and 2 hectares respectively will be provided. The organizers anticipate a visitor count exceeding 30,000, reaffirming Expoforest’s status as the world’s largest dynamic forestry fair.

In addition to the fair, the Brazilian Forestry Week program includes two specialized events in Ribeirão Preto: the XIX Seminar on Wood Harvesting and Forest Transportation Systems, a longstanding and traditional technical event in the sector, and the 5th Brazilian Silviculture Meeting, co-organized by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation through its forestry-focused subdivision, Embrapa Florestas.

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