MEET THE SPEAKERS

MEET THE SPEAKERS 1

Carlo Magni

Forward Insight & Strategy

Carlo Magni is global consumer insights director and partner at Forward Insight & Strategy, a leading consultancy that delivers consumer insights and strategic business advice for agrifood industries. He works with global clients such as Zespri, T&G Global, Dole, Sunkist, and Westfalia on breeding, innovation and branding.
Jiunn Shih

Driscoll’s

Jiunn Shih is global chief marketing officer at Driscoll’s, where he is helping transform the world’s leading berry company into a more consumer-centric, brand-led business. Previously, he helped reshape the global kiwifruit category at Zespri and held senior roles at Unilever and L’Oréal. He is a two-time Campaign Asia-Pacific Top 50 marketer.
Cassie Howard

Sunkist Growers

Cassie Howard is senior director of category management & marketing at Sunkist Growers, where she leads global brand strategy, consumer marketing, category management, and retail engagement. With more than two decades of experience in fresh produce marketing, she works closely with growers, sales teams and customers to drive category growth and strengthen consumer demand worldwide.
Leo Li

Dole China

Leo Li is general manager of commercial at Dole China. He leads the company’s commercial strategy development, brand building and sales and operations, delivering consistent growth for Dole’s core products. With nearly 20 years of FMCG experience, he previously served at Procter & Gamble and other multinationals.
Julian Smith

Rockit Global

Julian Smith is general manager of global marketing at Rockit Global. He has led significant Rockit brand growth since 2020. This includes developing Rockit’s digital and consumer strategy, which has seen the brand set up large-scale e-commerce, and creating double-digit growth in consumer awareness and brand sentiment. Julian is one of New Zealand’s leading marketers with 20 years’ experience in creating and developing New Zealand brands for the global marketplace.
Ron Lemaire

CPMA & Global Coalition of Fresh Produce (Canada)

Ron Lemaire is president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), representing the needs and interests of over 870 Canadian and international member companies that are responsible for over 90 per cent of Canada’s fresh fruit and vegetable sales. He is also chair of the Global Coalition for Fresh Produce, which brings together 11 associations from around the world to find solutions to global supply chain challenges.
Greg Palmer

CPMA & Global Coalition of Fresh Produce

Greg Palmer is vice-president of trade and market development at CPMA, leading membership growth and value initiatives. Previously, he held produce procurement roles with Costco Canada and Loblaw. Recognised as CPMA Young Professional of the Year in 2023, he is also an IFPA leadership programme graduate, mentor, and advocate for industry engagement and inclusion. Greg is the chair for the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce, which is focused on finding solutions to global supply chain challenges.
Robert Mant

Kuehne and Nagel

Robert Mant is VP of global sales and development for seafreight perishables at Kuehne and Nagel. With 35-plus years of experience in global fresh produce logistics, he has obtained valuable and unique insights into the perishables supply chain. The reefer logistics expert held senior level positions in Dole Food Company, Compagnie Fruitiere in France and Star Reefers in the UK. In 2017, Robert took his expertise to Kuehne and Nagel, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, where he leverages the organisation’s global network of sea logistics reefer professionals to offer solutions to the customer.
Ling Ma

Goodfarmer Group

With eight years’ experience in the imported fruit industry, Ling Ma currently serves as the deputy general manager of the banana division and senior director of the product centre at Goodfarmer Group. She takes full charge of end-to-end supply chain operations, spearheading product planning, quality management, international logistics, and customs clearance. She has extensive practical experience and a proven track record in managing and optimising the supply chain for imported fresh fruits.
Marc Evrard

Belgian Fruit Valley

Marc Evrard is the commercial director of Belgian Fruit Valley (BFV), one of Belgium’s leading topfruit exporters. Embedded in the largest Belgian cooperative, it offers a wide range of apples and pears with a primary focus on Conference pears along with a quality offer of cherries and berries. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Marc has played a key role in developing Belgium’s export markets.
Werner van Rooyen

Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum

Werner van Rooyen is chief operating officer of Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum. He has more than 17 years’ industry experience and previously worked in the commercial sector for exporting companies in South Africa. Werner’s interest in international trade and commerce stems from a special interest in macroeconomics.
Jae Chun

Driscoll’s

Jae Chun is vice-president and general manager for Driscoll’s of APAC. He joined Driscoll’s after working as general manager of Asia for Chiquita Brands International, and has an extensive background in starting and building branded businesses in China. His previous experience includes leadership positions with fresh-cut business Fresh Express, and post-harvest technology firm TransFresh. He has also worked in the telecoms industry for Vodafone/AirTouch.
George Jessett

Costa Group

George Jessett is general manager, international horticulture at Costa Group, a world-leading developer and grower of premium blueberry varieties. He brings a strong passion for technical horticultural excellence, innovation and the advancement of high-performing berry production systems. With decades of experience at Costa, George leads globally focused technical programmes that support the company’s international interests, including its breeding programme for the development of premium blueberry varieties.
John Early

Fruitist

John Early is global sales director and founding member of Fruitist. He has 25 years of executive experience in produce, including co-founding Ruby Fresh, later sold to The Wonderful Company. John has built global sales and premium brand platforms across the globe and has expertise in exports, pricing and 52-week supply chains for high-value fruit.
Sunny Su

Lusheng Law Firm

Sunny Su is the China head of digital and commercial at Lusheng Law Firm, Rouse’s strategic partner. Sunny has 20-plus years’ IP experience advising multinationals, including in agriculture. She represents clients in protecting plant variety rights and recently handled two significant China Supreme Court cases involving a leading apple variety.
Rahul Badge

Zespri International

Rahul Bagde is head of in-market supply chain at Zespri International. He is a seasoned supply chain leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in global supply chain management. He has worked in diverse industries and markets, such as technology and fresh produce, in the US, Asia, China, and India.
Brett Fifield

Hort Innovation

Brett Fifield is CEO of Hort Innovation, Australia’s grower-owned research and development corporation. He has led a transformation agenda focused on accelerating innovation, lifting industry productivity and positioning Australian horticulture for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world. Brett led the establishment of Australia’s first horticulture-focused venture capital fund, designed to accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of new technologies by Australian growers.
Paul Ramson

Tomra Food

Paul Ramson is director of strategic projects at Tomra Food, where he leads strategic initiatives that support long-term business growth, operational excellence, and innovation. With extensive experience across the food industry, he works closely with global teams and customers to deliver transformative solutions that enhance efficiency, maximise value, and drive sustainable outcomes.
Flora Zhang

Avocados Australia

Flora Zhang joined Avocados Australia in 2021, managing a range of export development activities and supporting all export-related matters for Australian avocados. Having started out in the nut industry (macadamias and almonds), she has experience in commodity trading, brand and marketing development and supply chain management across all export markets.
Xinyuan Ma

Rijk Zwaan

Xinyuan Ma is chain manager at Rijk Zwaan China, where he currently focuses on fruit and vegetable variety promotion, alongside strengthening supply chain collaboration with key partners to drive mutual growth. He holds an MSc from Wageningen University & Research.
Wayne Prowse

Fresh Intelligence Consulting

Wayne Prowse, founder of Fresh Intelligence Consulting, delivers data-driven insights across global fresh produce markets. He works closely with growers, exporters, and industry bodies to interpret market trends, pricing dynamics, and international trade flows. His analysis supports strategic decision making across supply chains, particularly in navigating seasonal shifts and emerging export opportunities. Prowse has compiled 15 editions of the Asiafruit Statistics Handbook.
Elisa De Conto

DP World

Ellisa De Conto is director, key account management – logistics (perishables), APAC at DP World, where she leads the growth of the perishables vertical across Asia-Pacific. With more than 20 years’ experience in fresh produce and agricultural trade logistics, she has worked with exporters and global businesses to develop integrated supply chain solutions that improve market access, efficiency and resilience across the region.
Sarah Man

Ocean Network Express

Sarah Man is assistant general manager, marketing & commercial, East Asia at Ocean Network Express. Since joining the company in 2018, she has specialised in trade management, commercial strategy, and yield optimisation, bringing a proven track record of directing large-scale operations across Oceania and East Asia. Prior to her current role, she built extensive regional expertise through key management positions at MOL, CMA CGM and APL.
Konna Mu

Joy Wing Mau Group

Konna Mu is general manager of Joy Wing Mau international procurement platform. Konna has vast experience in importing fruit to China and has worked extensively across wholesale, retail and other parts of Joy Wing Mau’s highly successful fresh produce business.

Meet the speakers 2

Jan Doldersum

Rijk Zwaan

Jan Doldersum is manager, chain at Rijk Zwaan, driving innovation and collaboration across the fresh produce sector. With a passion for sustainable solutions and global partnerships, he connects stakeholders to create value from seed to shelf. Jan brings strategic insights and practical experience to shape the future of horticulture.
Miriam Wolk

International Fresh Produce Association

Miriam Wolk is chief membership officer for the International Fresh Produce Association. She is responsible for strategic oversight of all activities related to member recruitment, retention, engagement and volunteer leadership activities across the association’s global markets. Prior to this, Miriam served in various membership roles at United Fresh Produce Association from 2008-2021, most recently vice-president of member services.
Mohammed Abbas

Del Monte Corporation

Mohammed Abbas has served as president and chief operating officer of Fresh Del Monte Produce since January 2026. He previously held several other senior leadership roles at the company and at Del Monte Foods UAE. Abbas has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in agriculture, farming, and the fresh produce industry in multinational organisations from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Sumit Saran

SS Associates

Sumit is director of SS Associates, an international food marketing firm based in New Delhi, National Capital Region. The firm represents and markets Washington Apples, USA Pears, American Pistachios, US Cranberries, Chilean Kiwifruit, Chilean Cherries, Northwest Cherries, Chilean Walnuts, American Pecans and World Avocados in the high-growth Indian market.
Ben Reilly

Steritech

Ben Reilly has led Steritech’s phytosanitary irradiation business for the past decade, rapidly growing it to be a key service for over 80 crops. His international experience in fresh produce fostered a strategic vision that has seen the technology used to create trade security and competitive advantages for the Australian industry.
Ryan Molloy

Redfern Digital

Ryan Molloy is CEO at RedFern Digital, an award-winning independent brand management agency that develops, manages, and distributes brands across Asia. He is responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and performance of some of the largest and most successful brands in Asia, across a dynamic range of categories, covering branding, strategy, social media marketing and e-commerce.
Giang Nguyen

NZTE Vietnam

Giang Nguyen is F&B head of business development at NZTE Vietnam, supporting New Zealand food and beverage exporters. She has led several e-commerce and livestreaming initiatives in Vietnam, including retailer partnerships on Lazada, a TikTok collaboration educational programme, and the Made with Care 2026 livestream campaign on both TikTok and Facebook platforms. Giang brings practical insights into how social commerce is shaping consumer engagement and sales in Vietnam.
Juan Valverde

Hortifrut Genetics

Juan Valverde is general manager of Hortifrut Genetics, leading global breeding, intellectual property, and varietal innovation programmes. Holding a PhD in Molecular Gastronomy from the University of Paris, he combines scientific expertise with commercial leadership. He also oversees Baby Plums, an innovative fruit category designed to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Rowan Little

Montague Farms

Rowan Little is head of product strategy, quality and innovation at Australian fruit grower-marketer Montague Farms. His role focuses on IP management and strategic planning, which includes stonefruit variety development and commercialisation in Australia and global markets. Rowan joined Montague in the mid-1990s and he has filled many roles, including marketing manager, export manager and general manager of fruit packing and sales.
Hai Xuan Nguyen

Klever Fruit

Hai Xuan Nguyen is the founder and CEO of Klever Fruit, a leading premium fruit boutique chain in Vietnam. Under his leadership, Klever Fruit has expanded its retail chain, offering high-quality imported fruits from around the world. His strategic vision focuses on providing customers with the freshest and safest products while continuously improving the shopping experience. He has also been instrumental in implementing modern business practices, including digital transformation and AI-driven customer engagement.
Hyojun Kim

Fresh produce business specialist

Hyojun Kim is a Korean fresh produce business specialist with over a decade of experience in sourcing, sales, and category strategy. Most recently, he served as senior sourcing manager, working across the full supply chain from global sourcing to retail execution. As a Fruitnet contributor, he covers Korea’s produce market.
Samrat Acharya

Binary Consulting

Samrat Acharya is the founder and managing consultant of Binary Consulting Group, a data analytics and consumer research consultancy built specifically for fresh produce businesses. Before founding Binary, Samrat spent nearly a decade in category insights, including as insights manager at Costa Group. Today, he partners with growers, marketers and category teams to look beyond price and promotion to find the real drivers of volume and margin, bringing retailer context and commercial insight most analytics firms cannot replicate.er countries across various sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness, and services.
Marc Peyres

Blue Whale

Marc Peyres is deputy director of Blue Whale, a cooperative of French growers specialised in producing apples as well as pears, plums and kiwifruit. Blue Whale is a major player in the international market and a leader in new IP and club varieties such as Pink Lady, Candine, Jazz, Envy, and Joya. Blue Whale has been shipping apples to India from France as well as from Brazil.
Jacques du Preez

Hortgro

Jacques du Preez is chief executive of Hortgro – the South African deciduous fruit industry’s grower association and knowledge base. He recently took the reins of the organisation after serving as general manager of trade and markets, where he headed up the market access, trade and market development divisions amongst others.
Grace Shi

Mr Avocado

Chunyu (Grace) Shi is executive deputy general manager of Shanghai Niuguo Agricultural Technology, which operates under the brand name Mr Avocado. She focuses on avocado commercial strategy, global sourcing, cold chain ripening operation and omnichannel market distribution.
Hans Boyum

Westfalia Fruit

Hans Boyum is Westfalia Fruit’s customer director for developing markets in the Middle East, India, China, Korea, Japan and Latin America. He began his career as an agronomist at the South African Avocado Growers’ Association, before moving to Westfalia in 2004 where he has worked in a variety of technical, logistical and commercial roles.
Antony Allen

The Avolution

Antony Allen is director and CEO of The Avolution, Australia’s leading avocado marketing company and its largest exporter to South-East Asia. Under his leadership, exports have grown 300 per cent in 18 months, reaching A$70m annual turnover across 120 grower-partners. A qualified horticulturalist, Antony previously served as CEO of Avocados Australia and president of the International Avocado Society, bringing category expertise to Asian markets.
Frank Yau

Cathay Cargo

Frank Yau is head of cargo sales, Hong Kong & Greater Bay Area (GBA), at Cathay Cargo. With over 20 years of experience in logistics and air cargo, he has held key commercial roles in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, driving sales growth, strategic partnerships and regional connectivity across one of Asia’s most dynamic markets.
Tina Qin

Worldpanel by Numerator

Tina Qin is a strategic advisor to global and local manufacturers and retailers, in charge of new business development at Worldpanel by Numerator China. With over 20 years of market research focusing on consumer insights, she helps clients with their business planning, innovation, and channel strategies to achieve growth. She is an expert on China’s FMCG market and a trusted consultant to her clients.
Claudia Soler

Frutas de Chile Cherry Committee

Claudia Soler is the executive director of the Frutas de Chile Cherry Committee. An agricultural engineer with an MBA from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, she brings more than 20 years of experience in international marketing, brand strategy, and agribusiness. Throughout her career, Claudia has led high-impact marketing and positioning initiatives for Chile’s agricultural sector, working closely with industry, government, and international partners to strengthen Chile’s global reputation.
Owen Zhang

Goodfarmer Group

Owen Zhang is CEO of Goodfarmer Fruit Group. With more than 20 years’ experience in the fruit industry, Owen is renowned for his sharp market vision and authoritative professional analysis of fruit markets.