Leading buyers from Europe, the US, Latin America and Asia will share their insight and experience of working in the international berry business at this year's Global Berry Congress, which takes place at the Sheraton Hotel in Santiago, Chile, on 24-26 April.
With high consumer acceptance and burgeoning sales in a number of markets, the berry sector represents one of the greatest success stories for the fresh produce trade in recent years; and with further growth expected in emerging markets like China and Latin America, delegates attending the annual conference and networking event will be able to hear from those at the forefront of building new sales in the category.
Guilherme Benassi of Brazilian fresh produce importer-distributor Grupo Benassi will offer his take on the recent expansion of consumer markets in his home country as well other Latin American markets, while Yang Dongya of Chinese agricultural investment vehicle Joyvio and Yoonsang Lee, co-founder of South Korean agricultural marketing experts Intnet, will provide new insight into the potential commercial opportunities available to berry suppliers in their respective countries.
Adrian Olins, European director of the UK supermarket sector's leading soft fruit supplier BerryWorld, and Robert Verloop of US marketer Naturipe will consider the future development of more mature markets in Europe and North America, focusing on how such growth can be achieved by tapping into breeding, convenience, foodservice and marketing.
Other topics will include an analysis of the latest developments in breeding, technology and logistics which could help businesses to prosper and remain at the vanguard of the global berry market, with speakers including Dave Brazelton of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery and Claudia Mardones, general manager of TransFresh in Chile.
Global Berry Congress 2013 will also focus on how healthy the business is economically and what suppliers and marketers will need to do to sustain growth in future. Keynote speaker Marco Luraschi of Rabobank Chile will explore how the berry industry is likely to change and examine what major challenges and opportunities lie ahead.
This year's Global Berry Congress is sponsored by several leading names in the international berry business, including the Chilean Blueberry Committee, Naturipe, Camposol, Driscoll's, Fruit Logistica, Special Fruit, Hoogstraten, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, It's Fresh and Planasa.
