Tasmania hosts four-day event featuring farm tours, a conference and trade show with international speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities
BerryQuest International, the premier conference for the Australian berry industry, returns in 2025, taking place in Hobart on 24-27 February.
The four-day event includes two days of farm tours and a two-day conference and trade show hosted at the Wrest Point Hotel Casino.
The jam-packed programme will showcase the latest innovations including growing techniques, research, packaging, export development, biosecurity, labour and marketing.
Headlining the conference and trade show is keynote speaker Rachael Robertson who brings a unique and inspiring perspective to leadership, drawn from her extraordinary experience as the second female to lead an Antarctic expedition to Davis Station.
Her keynote at BerryQuest International 2025 promises to deliver practical, inspiring content for attendees seeking to enhance their leadership skills in the ever-evolving berry industry.
Robertson is widely recognised for her down-to-earth and engaging approach, sharing real-world leadership
lessons gained during her gruelling, year-long assignment in one of the planet’s most hostile environments.
“Rachael’s experiences in Antarctica provide valuable lessons for today’s business leaders, particularly those navigating the complexities of the global berry industry,” says Rachel Mackenzie, executive director at Berries Australia.
“Her approach to leadership will resonate with anyone looking to drive innovation and maintain resilience in an ever-changing market.”
Joining Robertson as a keynote speaker will be Mike Knowles, managing director of Fruitnet Europe. His address ‘What’s next for the global berry business?’ will provide an in-depth look at the latest trends and challenges that are going to shape the international soft fruit market in the coming years.
The expansive content offering is set to provide fresh insights for the berry industry across a range of key topics.
A series of international speakers will provide a global perspective on ag-tech, automation and business sustainability.
Renowned experts in pollination share the latest research in alternative pollinators and breakthroughs in integrated pest management.
Retail-focused sessions will touch on e-weights, how improving traceability in supply chains can reduce business risk and a showcase of the industry-first Berry Basket marketing campaign in 2024.
The Berries Australia export team is also set to talk about the art of doing business with China as well as what market access breakthroughs are just around the corner.
Farm tours are on offer over two days: on 24 February, the northern tour starting in Launceston will take in Driscoll’s state-of-the-art plant propagation facility in Perth; Hillwood Berries and its cutting-edge technology; finishing with a picking and packing demonstration and Reid Fruits’ Cravo retractable tunnels on the way to the tour’s endpoint in Hobart. The southern tour on 25 February will stop at Piñata Farms, Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, R&R Smith’s organic apple orchard and Hansens Orchards’ state-of-the-art packing facility before returning to Hobart.
With a trade show featuring over 60 exhibitors and networking opportunities each evening, including the Gala Dinner & Awards night, this conference will have something for every berry grower.
To register visit bit.ly/BQI25 and secure your tickets for this industry-leading event. Produce Plus is an official media partner of BerryQuest International 2025.
