The International Blueberry Organisation (IBO) Summit 2023, starting on 3 July in Poland, promises to be a truly global meeting of the blueberry industry.
This is the first IBO Summit in Europe and, over two days, it will be possible to hear from leading industry and academic representatives, meet growers from all over the world, and meet the main players in the blueberry market," says Dominika Kozarzewska from the organising committee. "Delegates from more than 20 countries on six continents, from Peru to Uganda, from China to New Zealand, have already registered".
The two-day conference will open with the presentation of the 2023 edition of the Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report. "The report shows significant growth in blueberry production, driven mainly by Peru but complemented by increases in other regions," says Colin Fain, CEO of Agronometrics and co-author of the report.
"This major change in supply dynamics is set in a difficult context of rising input costs and static price structures," Fain adds.
"The report notes a more aggressive pattern of conversion of existing fields to new varieties in order to increase productivity, meet increasing quality demands from retailers and improve harvest efficiency. There are also signs of a return to logistical normality in several regions, though not all. To stay ahead of the curve, explore the full report and understand how these dynamics are shaping the future of the blueberry industry".
Many participants awaited with interest the debate between Soren Bjorn, President of Driscoll's of the America's, and Juan Ignacio Allende, CEO of Hortifrut S.A., entitled 'The Road Ahead: Where is the blueberry industry going?".
Bjorn says: 'This is a great time for the industry leaders to go together. The demand for blueberries has never been so high. However, we have many challenges to face. It is our collective responsibility to address the sustainability challenges of our business while elevating the consumer experience of eating blueberries."
The two-day conference will be followed by farm visits to Europe's largest organic and conventional blueberry farms, where delegates will be able to see not only demonstrations of innovative farming equipment, but also how the new northern highbush varieties perform in Polish climatic conditions characterised by high annual and daily temperature ranges.
We have decided to extend Early Bird registration until 10 June, so there is still time to take advantage of the reduced rates for this unique event," says Kozarzewska.
