Textilhogar welcomed a surge of professional visitors as it made a triumphant return to Feria Valencia, marking a strong rebound after a five‑year absence in Madrid and a two‑year pause caused by the pandemic. The event spanned four days of activity, and participating companies expressed satisfaction with the buying environment that unfolded through those days. There was a clear sense of momentum as buyers and exhibitors navigated a market that many analysts expect to be challenging in the closing months of the year. The overall sentiment was that the fair did its part to spark deals, build networks, and set a positive tone for what lies ahead in a year that continues to demand resilience and adaptability from the textile sector.
Pepe Serna, president of Ateval, the Textile Entrepreneurs Association in the Valencia region, highlighted a notable upturn in participation and engagement. He noted that attendance had grown by about 20 percent, bringing together 82 participating companies and a broad network of hundreds of international buyers. Serna remarked that attendees appeared relieved to return to the normal rhythms of trade after disruptions caused by the health crisis, and he observed visible optimism across the floor as vendors and visitors interacted more freely and with renewed confidence. The sense, he added, was that the industry is reclaiming its pace and reestablishing valuable relationships that may have faded during the most acute phases of the pandemic.
When discussing the Valencia comeback, Serna emphasized the strategic reasoning behind the move back to the city. He recalled the earlier decision to operate from Madrid in order to maintain critical mass and ensure that the market for textile products did not stall during a period of crisis. The decision paid off, as the return to Valencia now appears to have reinforced the sector’s capacity to attract buyers, sustain activity, and generate tangible business opportunities. Looking ahead, Serna acknowledged potential uncertainties, including ongoing effects of the Ukraine conflict and the impact of elevated energy costs on production schedules. Nevertheless, he stressed that the industry continues to move forward, adapting to new conditions and keeping a constructive focus on growth opportunities, while the broader market continues to rotate and recover.