An exciting array of top-level international speakers will provide their expert views on the latest supply and market trends shaping Asia’s fast-growing produce trade at the upcoming Asiafruit Congress, which meets on 10-12 September in Hong Kong.
The three-day conference event is on course to attract some 650 key industry professionals from throughout the international fresh produce business, with executives from more than 40 different countries already signed up to take part.
Organised by Asiafruit Magazine, the Asiafruit Congress will take place at Hong Kong’s prestigious Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, the only international trade fair for the fresh fruit and vegetable business in Asia. Asiafruit Congress will run over three mornings from 10-12 September, with the ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA trade fair opening each afternoon.
“This year, the Asiafruit Congress is going to look in detail at the ongoing changes in Asian food retailing, at the emergence of new consumer markets such as Vietnam and India, and at some of the key issues facing global suppliers to the region,” said Asiafruit Magazine editor John Hey. “It will also explore China’s role in the global fresh produce trade.”
Day One (10 September) – Future trends in Asia’s fresh produce market
The Asiafruit Congress programme kicks off on 10 September with senior executives from two of Asia’s leading food retailers who will discuss some of the future trends in the business, from global sourcing to new store formats. Speakers include John Glover, food director of MGB Metro Group Buying Hong Kong, and David Bound of Wellcome Hong Kong. Anson Bailey of global consulting group KPMG China will introduce the opening session with an overview of Asia’s food retail scene.
Exciting opportunities in emerging markets such as India and Vietnam will also be explored on Day One, with expert presentations from Sanjay Sethi of Technopak Advisors and Ralf Matthaes of TNS Vietnam.
Day Two (11 September) – Global suppliers focus on Asian opportunities
Day Two turns the spotlight on global suppliers to Asia. Setting the scene for the ‘Global Suppliers Day’, Isabel Quiroz of Chilean-based consultancy iQonsulting will co-present with Asiafruit Magazine editor John Hey on the main trends in international fresh produce supplies to the Asian markets. Meanwhile, Des O’Rourke, founder of world fruit market analysts Belrose Inc and publisher of the World Apple Report, will speak on the major issues facing global fresh produce suppliers, from rising fuel costs to labour shortages. He will also provide the latest information on how leading global suppliers like the US and New Zealand are seeking to deal with the sustainability challenge.
The second session of the Global Suppliers Day will bring together a panel of high-profile speakers representing major supplying countries to Asia to discuss the key opportunities and challenges they face in developing their business in the region. Speakers include Ed Kershaw of Domex Superfresh Growers (USA), Danie Kieviet of Freshworld (South Africa), Andrew Wallace of San Clemente (Chile), Andrew Fenton of Horticulture New Zealand (New Zealand) and Silvio Ermini of Vanguard international (Italy).
Day Three (12 September) – New perspectives on China’s fresh produce market
China’s role as a consumer market and a fresh produce supplier is the focus of the opening session of Day Three. Joe Mueller, a senior executive in Accenture’s Asia-Pacific products operating group, will offer his expert insights of consumer trends in the world’s fastest-growing economy. Meanwhile, Brady Sidwell of Rabobank Asia will provide a competitive analysis of China’s role as a fresh produce supplier to international markets.
China has come to dominate the fresh produce business in Asia, and the final session of the Asiafruit Congress will look at the key opportunities and challenges for the country’s next chapter of growth. Dr Ian Ferguson, chief scientist with world-leading fruit science company HortResearch, will speak on the opportunities for new product development and the challenge of sustainability. Paolo Carissimo of Italian fresh produce group RK Marketing, will present on his company’s experiences of investing in China, and the future issues for the country’s import/export trade. And John Chapple of food residue analysis laboratory Sino Analytica will talk about the challenge that food safety presents to China’s future role as a supplier to international markets.
More information and to register…
Now in its 11th year, the Asiafruit Congress has established itself as the annual meeting point for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business in Asia. The Asiafruit Congress delegate fee includes exclusive access to the entire programme, which includes six conference sessions, networking breaks, the Asiafruit Congress Welcome Reception, and a three-day pass to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Register online at www.asiafruitcongress.com and save over 20 per cent on your delegate fee.
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA exhibitors can make even bigger savings via the official Asaifruit Congress website www.asiafruitcongress.com
For further information, email info@asiafruitcongress.com
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