Friday, 16 February 2024 12:55

French machinery show canned

Written by  Mark Daniel
Massive protests by French farmers are partly responsible for SIMA Show being cancelled this year. Massive protests by French farmers are partly responsible for SIMA Show being cancelled this year.

If you got a French dictionary, a striped Breton jersey or a beret for Christmas, it’s time to pack them away for a couple of years, as the giant French machinery Show SIMA has been called off for November 2024.

While there are currently no confirmed dates, the next event is planned for 2026.

 Axema, the French trade association for manufacturers of agricultural machinery, says that the show, which was planned to run over four days from November 24 to 27 at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition complex, has been cancelled because of the decline in the agricultural equipment market, alongside the current agricultural crisis in France. 

The latter sees rural folk frustrated by low commodity prices and excessive environmental protection regulations, with angry French farmers continuing to block roads across much of the country.

It is suggested that this situation could continue for the foreseeable future.

A drop in exhibitor numbers is also given as another reason to cancel the 2024 event, with John Deere and Pöttinger stating in mid-2023 that they would not attend Sima 2024, while Rural News understands there has more recently been a lot of last-minute cancellations.

It’s interesting that since moving the French show from its traditional Northern Hemisphere spring timing at the end of February to a new November slot, visitor numbers to the first November Sima timing in 2022 were down by a third to 153,000 people.

 In contrast, EIMA 2022, held in Bologna, Italy welcomed nearly 330,000 people, while visitor numbers to Agritechnica, the largest of the three premier European exhibitions, welcomed more than 473,000 visitors through the gate.

Looking at the rescheduling in more detail, with Agritechnica being held in Germany during the odd November years and EIMA held in Italy in the even years, it makes November a busy month on the international show circuit.

 This has led to manufacturers suggesting that another major event in the same month puts a huge strain on budgets, logistics and resources that they appear reluctant to support.

More like this

Quick, accurate access to data

Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and Nitrogen Cap compliance for farmers.

Can-Am pushes the boundaries

Can-Am is pushing the boundaries of performance in its Outlander line-up of ATVs with the launch of the new 850 and 1000R models, said to offer industry-leading horsepower, increased suspension travel and refined handling.

Featured

Ideal weather for growers

Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris are reporting near ideal spring start conditions for fruit growers this season.

LIC ready for challenges ahead

Herd improvement company LIC says it's well-positioned for the challenges ahead and remains focused on its core purpose - delivering value for farmer shareholders.

National

Primary sector chuffed

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy says his organisation welcomes the new trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE),…

The power of irrigation

Former dryland now irrigated under the Central Plains Water Ltd (CPWL) irrigation system is producing 475 million litres of milk…

Machinery & Products

Can-Am pushes the boundaries

Can-Am is pushing the boundaries of performance in its Outlander line-up of ATVs with the launch of the new 850…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trump tariffs

OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.

Air Miles

OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter