Maseto Technologies took part in the 43rd INC World Nut & Dried Fruit Congress, held in Macao from 12 to 14 May 2026, one of the leading international meeting points for the nut and dried fruit industry.
Organised by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, the congress brought together more than 1,300 industry professionals and leaders from 65 countries, reinforcing its position as one of the sector’s key global events for sharing knowledge, analysing market developments and discussing the challenges that will shape the future of the industry.
For Maseto, taking part in events of this kind goes far beyond simply being present. It provides an opportunity to stay close to the companies and professionals producing, processing and marketing nuts across different markets, understand how their needs are evolving and apply that knowledge to the development of new industrial solutions.
A global meeting point for the nut industry
Every year, the INC World Nut & Dried Fruit Congress brings together owners, senior executives, suppliers, buyers and professionals from some of the world’s leading companies in the sector.
The Macao edition featured more than 60 speakers and a programme focused on production data, crop forecasts, market dynamics, emerging trends and other factors likely to influence the development of the industry in the years ahead.
This international perspective is particularly relevant for Maseto Technologies, which works with customers and projects across a wide range of markets.
A processing line is not developed in isolation. Changes in global production, new varieties, evolving commercial requirements and new sustainability standards ultimately have an impact on the needs of industrial processing plants.
Understanding this wider context helps us design solutions that are better prepared for real market conditions.
Production, markets and emerging trends
One of the main themes of the congress was the analysis of global developments within the sector.
Throughout the various sessions, forecasts for production, consumption and international markets were presented. According to data shared by the INC following the event, global tree nut production for the 2026/2027 season was projected at around six million metric tonnes, with different trends depending on the individual product.
This type of information does not only affect growers and traders.
When production of a particular raw material increases, new varieties emerge or destination markets change, the requirements placed on the industries processing those products also evolve.
Processing plants need to be able to adapt to new volumes, product characteristics and quality requirements without compromising performance.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to industry strategy
The INC also used the Macao edition to reinforce several of its strategic priorities.
These include increasing global consumption of nuts and dried fruit, further progress in health and nutrition, and the development of more sustainable practices across the industry.
Sustainability also has an important industrial dimension.
Reducing product losses, making better use of raw materials, optimising consumption, minimising reprocessing and designing long-lasting machinery all contribute both to profitability and to a more efficient use of resources.
For machinery manufacturers such as Maseto, this evolution presents a clear challenge: developing processing lines that offer ever greater levels of control, efficiency and adaptability.
Listening to the industry before designing solutions
The message shared by Maseto during its participation in Macao reflects this approach: staying close to the industry allows us to understand what is changing and to continue improving the solutions we develop.
Direct contact with producers, processors and industry leaders is particularly valuable in a sector where requirements can vary considerably from one market to another.
Not every customer works with the same products, varieties or production capacities. Nor do they operate under the same production conditions or pursue exactly the same objectives.
That is why, before designing individual machinery or a complete processing line, it is essential to understand the problems the installation genuinely needs to solve.
From market insight to process engineering
Industrial engineering should not be limited to responding to technical specifications.
It should also anticipate future needs.
A company that understands how the industry is evolving can identify emerging requirements before they reach processing plants.
Higher production volumes may require greater capacity. Greater product diversity may call for more versatile equipment. A more competitive market may make reducing product losses a priority. And stricter quality requirements may demand much more precise control at every stage of the process.
This is one of the reasons why Maseto’s presence at international events such as the INC Congress makes sense from both a technical and strategic perspective.
An increasingly connected industry
The Macao congress also highlighted the global nature of the nut industry.
Decisions made in one region can ultimately affect producers and processors thousands of kilometres away.
Crop volumes, supply and demand dynamics, international trade and the emergence of new markets all have a direct influence on companies’ investment decisions.
For a manufacturer with an international presence, understanding these connections is essential.
Maseto develops machinery and processing lines for nuts and sesame for industrial companies that need to handle large volumes, different products and a wide variety of production conditions.
Maintaining an international outlook enables us to adapt our solutions more effectively to this reality.
Better engineering built on real industry knowledge
One of the key ideas behind Maseto’s participation in the 2026 INC Congress is that innovation does not begin solely in the engineering department.
It also begins with listening.
Listening to how markets are evolving, the challenges processors are currently facing, which products are becoming more significant and what new requirements are emerging within processing plants.
Listening to how markets are evolving, the challenges processors are currently facing, which products are becoming more significant and what new requirements are emerging within processing plants.
This knowledge makes it possible to turn real-world needs into engineering solutions.
That is why taking part in one of the world’s leading events for the nut industry forms part of Maseto’s approach to technological development.
Because better engineering starts with a deeper understanding of the industry it is designed for.
