United Fresh Services bananas

A high-powered session on banana marketing will headline next week’s International Banana Symposium in the Philippines.

Chang Hwa Oh, president of Jinwon Trading Company will lead the session with an update on the increasing sophistication of the South Korean market. He will be joined on stage by Goodfarmer’s general director Zijie Liu and Zarrin Group’s president Alireza Emami, who will provide insights on the Chinese and Middle Eastern markets respectively.

The three-day symposium, being held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City, is expected to attract more than 300 delegates from across the globe. The programme includes a plenary lecture by internationally-renowned banana scientists,market briefings, technical presentations, poster presentations and exhibitions.

The third day of the symposium will feature an industry tour, where delegates will visit a number of companies involved in the local banana industry. Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte will host a networking event on the opening evening of the symposium, 1 November.

The Davao City Chamber of Commerce has worked with the Mindanao Banana Farmers & Exporters Association and the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association to present the event. It will held in conjunction with the Philippines’ annual DATE trade show, with exhibitors including Goodfarmer, Yida, and Philippine Fresh Fruits.