Everything is ready for the 28th International Blueberry Seminar to be held on 13 and 14 September at the Hotel Les Dunes d'Or Centre De Congrès, Agadir.
The meeting will be an opportunity to support the Moroccan industry in decisions regarding new management systems, better strategies for sending fruit to markets, more information for deciding on new investments, and greater knowledge of the different alternatives for varietal change, among many other benefits.
In today's context, the international industry is seeking to increase global demand for blueberries and double production to 4 million tonnes, seeking to make the blueberry the fruit of choice for consumers.
In this regard, a large number of specialists of different nationalities will be present to contribute their knowledge to the meeting programme, including Dr. Jorge Retamales and Dr. Bruno Defilippi, perhaps the most accomplished researchers and specialists in the various facets of blueberry cultivation under different soil and climate conditions.
These two specialists, together with Jorge Esquivel, Director of Blueberries Consulting, and Amine Benanni, President of the Moroccan Association of Red Fruit Producers (AMPFR), will be the participants in a Round Table that will close the first day of the meeting, in which the different factors related to the "Challenges of cultivation and the identification of critical points to compete in the markets" will be addressed.
The Round Table discussion will focus on the issues that are of most interest to Moroccan producers and entrepreneurs, such as the various aspects related to soilless management systems; post-harvest efficiency; reducing losses; increasing profitability; the best strategies for sending the fruit to its destination; the latest generation of genetics; and yield per hectare, among other issues.
Soft fruit production in Morocco covers an area of approximately 13,500 hectares, of which 4,080 hectares are dedicated to blueberry cultivation, 4,600 hectares to raspberry production, and 3,080 hectares to strawberry production, 75% of which is located in the north of the country.
Within this framework, the problems and challenges facing the Moroccan industry are manifold and will be diagnosed in the course of the debate, in particular the identification and strategies to overcome the main critical issues afflicting it.
The programme of the International Blueberry Seminar in Agadir in September will leave the sector better informed, because the aim is to work together to have a more informed and competitive sector and market.
The forthcoming 28th International Blueberry Seminar will be held on 13 and 14 September in the halls of the Hotel Les Dunes D'or Centre De Congrès, in the city of Agadir, Morocco, and will enjoy the official support of the Moroccan Association of Red Fruit Growers (AMPFR) and the Agadir Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIS).
