Sakata welcomed 100 delegates to its first-ever butternut squash conference in Spain.
Industry partners from across Europe and North Africa including growers, shippers, processors and retailers came together in Los Alcázares, Murcia.
Delegates, including eight from the UK, viewed commercial fields of current market leading varieties from the Japanese seed company along with a preview of new pipeline varieties yet to be launched.
Sakata experts presented breeding objectives, cultural growing guidance, market trends along with a cooking demonstration and round robin debate.
Stuart Cox, Sakata UK MD, said: 'Butternut squash has become an important item for UK consumers who appreciate the sweet taste and multi-use appeal of this fruiting crop.
'By bringing together industry partners Sakata has been able to share our ideas and better understand the requirements throughout the supply chain, Sakata is committed to supplying high quality varieties that we hope will further expand the production and consumption across EMEA.'
