According to the organiser Fiera Valencia, it was “unfeasible” to run the event in June 2022 in Valencia, Spain, so it has been moved from February 27 to March 3, 2023.
The exhibition had already been put back from its original February dates to June because of the resurgence of Covid, but the rise in gas prices, plus difficulties getting raw materials as a result of the war in Ukraine (which has seen prices of gas spike) has meant stoppages in production and adjustments to the workforce for ceramic manufacturers.
In a press statement, it said the reason for the cancellation was “because of the critical situation currently being experienced by the ceramic industry, which is facing huge uncertainty and unpredictable outcomes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
In addition to the increased costs of energy, a further complication is that the majority of clay reportedly comes from Ukraine and Russia and it is recorded as the 12th largest export market for Spanish ceramics last year.
Despite 25% more visitors having pre-registered for the show than in previous years, the number of exhibitors that pulled out of the event meant it was no longer commercially viable for it to take place.
Director of Cevisama Carmen Alvarez said: “We are very sorry for the problems that cancellation may cause, but what we have is an emergency situation that has arisen and that is preventing us from going ahead with the industry’s grand re-grouping we were so looking forward to.
“We do not want to let down the trade visitors who come every year from all over the world.”
