AFC conference session

An array of high-level speakers have already signed up to take part in this year’s Asiafruit Congress, which takes place on 2-4 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, the leading international trade fair for fresh fruit and vegetables in Asia.

Asiafruit Magazine has put together a diverse Asiafruit Congress programme to help delegates make the most of the important growth opportunities that the region presents to the international fresh produce business.

Despite Asia’s great consumer market potential, promotional efforts among global suppliers remains limited, and Day One of the Asiafruit Congress will point ways forward with a session on ‘Success stories in consumer marketing’.

The California Table Grape Commission’s director of international marketing Susan Day will outline the Commission’s move to create a global brand for California grapes and its promotional work in South East Asian markets, with a supporting case study on the Thai market presented by Richard Lieu of Lieu Marketing Associates. Meanwhile, Hisao Takeda, president of marketing consultant Yamano & Associates, will provide his expert analysis of consumer trends and successful product promotions in Japan.

The challenge of licensing intellectual property in China will come under the spotlight on Day Two of the Asiafruit Congress. Dr Nigel Kerby of Mylnefield Research Services, which licenses world-renowned raspberry varieties bred for the Scottish Crop Research Institute, will talk about its move to plant and develop these varieties in China. South African company BioGold International is licensing production of proprietary citrus varieties in China, and the firm’s Peter Turner will discuss these efforts as well as the scope for developing offshore production of China’s own native fruit varieties under licence.

An exclusive session on Indonesia will also feature for the first time at the Asiafruit Congress this year, with expert insights on its market potential from Dr Ronnie S Natawidjaja of Padjadjaran University, Hendry Sim of PT Laris Manis Utama and Kafi Kurnia of Bian Penasaran.

“Asiafruit Congress is the premier conference event for the international fresh produce business,” said John Hey, Asiafruit Magazine’s editor who also manages the Asiafruit Congress conference programme. “The conference provides delegates with a great opportunity to keep up with the key changes in the Asian market and as well excellent networking opportunities with other attendees.”

Now in its twelfth year, the Asiafruit Congress expects to attract over 600 leading buyers and suppliers from the international fresh produce business. In 2008 the event attracted delegates from 39 different countries.

Register online for the Asiafruit Congress and ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA at www.asiafruitcongress.com