Excitement is growing for CASTANEA EXPO 2025, the first national fair dedicated to the entire chestnut supply chain and its fruits
Florence, July 7th, 2025. Castanea Expo 2025, Italy’s first national fair dedicated to the entire chestnut supply chain and its fruits, will take place at Fortezza da Basso in Florence from December 12th to 14th, 2025. The event continues to expand its offerings and exhibition sections, with a growing number of initiatives tailored to professionals and enthusiasts of the chestnut world. Its program is becoming increasingly detailed and attractive.
Among the many highlights is the chestnut honey showcase, a first-of-its-kind special exhibition featuring a comprehensive overview of chestnut honey producers from across Italy. This exceptional honey variety is celebrated for its unique nutritional and therapeutic properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, along with its rich mineral content and digestive benefits. Standing out in this lineup is the Lunigiana honey, a Tuscan excellence and the first honey in Italy to receive the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
One particularly fascinating theme to be presented is the chestnut tree bloom, a spectacular natural event comparable to Japan’s famous cherry blossoms. Taking place between May and July, it draws beekeepers who bring their hives to the blooming.
At this debut edition, exhibitors and visitors will be able to explore, all in one space, every possible expression of chestnut-based products, a true treasure from our hills. From marrons and chestnut flour to craft beers and chestnut-based cocktails, the diversity will be on full display.
A large exhibition area will also be dedicated to chestnut wood and its applications in construction and interior design. Known for its durability against weather and biological agents, chestnut wood is extremely versatile, used for outdoor structures, indoor flooring, windows, furnishings and even ecological engineering.
One of the most iconic historical uses of chestnut wood is found in the famous Venetian “briccole”—clusters of large wooden poles that guide boats through the canals and mark the tide levels. Alongside these are the “paline,” traditional mooring poles for gondolas in the “Serenissima”. Chestnut wood also forms a crucial part of the foundations supporting the city of Venice.
Part of the official 2025 calendar of internal fairs organized by Firenze Fiera, Castanea Expo will be a unique opportunity to foster synergy at every level of the chestnut production chain, with a shared goal of revitalizing and promoting Italy’s chestnut heritage.
“Territories are defined by their communities and their natural and cultural resources,” says Massimo Seragnoli, Project Manager of the fair. “In chestnut cultivation across Europe and the world, our chestnuts and marrons (known as sweet chestnuts) stand out for their unique flavor. The chestnut is a renewable resource, and its use supports sustainable forest management. At Castanea Expo in Florence, from December 12th to 14th, 2025, businesses and organizations from the economic, scientific, agricultural, industrial, food and tourism sectors will have the chance to present their products, services and projects in the region that collects the highest number of PGI and PDO products in Italy.
Our message? Step into the future, discover the ‘chestnut culture’”.
Press Office Firenze Fiera
Fiamma Domestici M 334 1446710 domestici@firenzefiera.it
Project manager
Massimo Seragnoli M 348 3854285 m.seragnoli@castaneaexpo.it