MEET THE SPEAKERS

Wayne Prowse

Fresh Intelligence

Wayne Prowse has had a long and diverse career in food marketing across the private sector, government, and industry bodies. In 2012, he founded Fresh Intelligence Consulting, specialising in market research and strategic analysis for the fresh produce industry. He is a regular contributor to Asiafruit and Eurofruit and has compiled 15 editions of the Asiafruit Statistics Handbook.
Steve Quinn

Pivit Global

Steve Quinn has over 25 years of global experience in fresh food and FMCG, with leadership roles across Asia and North America. He has led procurement, merchandising, private label, and end-to-end supply chains at Central Retail (Vietnam), Dairy Farm (Singapore), Walmart (Canada) and Sam’s Club (China), driving quality and value, innovation, food safety, sustainability, and product development.
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.
Felipe Casanova

Copefrut

Felipe Casanova is commercial director of Copefrut, a leading Chilean grower-exporter of a variety of fruits including apples, kiwifruit and cherries. He has almost 20 years’ experience in the agricultural and horticultural sector spanning Chile, Europe and Asia. Felipe is skilled in developing high-impact commercial strategies, building retail programmes, and leading cross-border ventures – delivering value from orchard to shelf across key global markets.
Marc Evrard

Belgian Fruit Valley

Marc Evrard is the commercial director of Belgian Fruit Valley (BFV). He has over 30 years’ experience in the fresh produce industry. BFV is 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. Marc has played a leading role in developing Belgium’s fresh produce export markets, negotiating market access protocols with countries in Asia and the Americas.
Jan Doldersum

Rijk Zwaan

Jan Doldersum is Rijk Zwaan’s manager chain and retail, 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.
Suhadi Zaini

Sweet Greens Indonesia

Suhadi Zaini is a director at Sweet Greens Indonesia. Sweet Greens builds and operates advanced greenhouses supported by Rijk Zwaan seeds, Priva equipment and Kingpeng greenhouses.
Tracey Lam

AquaGreen

Tracey Lam is CEO and co-founder of AquaGreen. She brings a robust professional background as a former CFO at a global environmental firm, with experience in mergers like T-Park. Raised in Australia, she embraced hydroponics’ sustainability, driving her to establish AquaGreen, overcoming early challenges with resilience and expanding its market leadership.
Lai Ganfeng

Springwoods Group

Lai Ganfeng is senior vice president of Springwoods Group and partner and CEO of Springwoods Technology Agriculture. He is an industry expert within the Sci-Tech Innovation China Food Science and Technology Industry Service Mission, which is part of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Ganfeng specialises in the cherry tomato and snack fruit and vegetable industries.
Edwin Sun

NielsenIQ

Edwin Sun is a seasoned retail leader with over a decade of experience spanning data analytics, consumer insights, strategy consulting, and retail loyalty. He partners with grocery retailers across APAC to drive customer-centric transformation, leveraging NielsenIQ’s The Full View measurement to deliver a comprehensive and actionable understanding of consumer buying behaviours and loyalty dynamics.
Paul Slupecki

Tomra Food

Paul Slupecki leads Tomra Food’s APAC team with the aim to strengthen its presence in New Zealand, Australia, India, South-East Asia, and Japan. This local focus enhances customer understanding and enables faster, personalised services, and tailored food sorting and grading solutions.
Roland Wirth

Softripe-Frigotec

Roland Wirth is technical director and shareholder of Softripe-Frigotec. He has over 30 years’ working experience as chief engineer in the field of fruit storage and fruit ripening technology and was a co-developer of AI-powered ripening innovation Softripe.
Benoit Barache

Blue Whale

Benoit Barache is Asia marketing manager for leading French apple exporter, Blue Whale. Based in Singapore, he is responsible for promoting the company’s range of brands across Asia. Benoit has been based in Asia for seven years and previously worked as a buyer for Carrefour China and trade marketing manager for Lactalis.
Jason Morris

Twenty Degrees

Jason Morris leads the global Pink Lady business. Based in Singapore, he works closely with international partners and licensees to invest and develop the Pink Lady brand. Prior to joining Pink Lady, Jason spent 20 years at Heineken International in commercial leadership roles in sales and trade marketing across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Brendon Osborn

Heartland Fruit

Brendon Osborn has been managing global exports at New Zealand-based Heartland Fruit since 2006 and a member of the International Pomefruit Alliance since its foundation in 2011. Over recent years, he has been integral in the success of Heartland Ambrosia sales in Asia and is now focusing on the development of the EverCrisp brand.
Rochelle Bohm

CMI Orchards

Rochelle Bohm is vice president of marketing at CMI Orchards, located in Wenatchee, Washington – heart of apple country. A strategic brand builder and creative leader, she specialises in global brand management and campaign innovation. Passionate about agriculture and sustainability, she drives fresh ideas that elevate one of the United States’ top fruit companies.
Kennard Wong

Unifrutti Japan

Kennard Wong is CEO of Unifrutti Japan. He joined the company in 1998, serving as CFO before being promoted to CEO. Unifrutti is a leading importer and marketer of fresh produce for the Japan market with a particular focus on bananas. Kennard is also president of the Japan Banana Importers Association.
Eric Zheng

Goodfarmer

Eric Zheng is Goodfarmer’s banana product director. Eric joined Goodfarmer in 2010 and has held several key positions within the company, working across multiple categories. This includes time as banana purchasing manager and vice president of the company’s banana subsidiary, Goodfarmer Banana, as well as leading Goodfarmer’s pineapple business unit.
Ashwin Pillay

RedFern Digital

Ashwin Pillay is commercial director of RedFern Digital, leading brand strategy and execution for premium FMCG clients across APAC. With over ten years in Asia, he supports new and established brands across marketing, e-commerce, retail, and trade. Originally from New Zealand, Ashwin works with businesses from start-ups to Fortune 500s.
Julian Smith

Rockit Global

Julian Smith is GM of global marketing at Rockit Global, connecting Rockit apples to millions of consumers across international channels and platforms with innovative healthy snacking products. Julian has led significant Rockit brand growth since 2020. This includes developing Rockit’s digital and consumer strategy, creating double-digit growth in consumer awareness and brand sentiment.
Dani Geng

Joy Wing Mau Group

Dani Geng is product director of Joy Wing Mau Group’s blueberry department. Dani works at the forefront of China’s growing berry sector, and he has over nine years of management experience in the blueberry business. His expertise spans variety introduction, global procurement, omni-channel distribution, branding, marketing, and industry analysis.
Peter McPherson

Costa Group

Peter McPherson is a consulting advisor to Costa Berry International. Prior to this role, McPherson led the Costa Berries business of leading Australian fresh produce grower-marketer, Costa Group, for 37 years. Peter is also the former president of the International Blueberry Organisation (IBO).
John Early

Fruitist

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

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, from technology to fresh produce, in the US, Asia, China, and India.

Meet the speakers

Ivan Marambio

Frutas de Chile

Ivan Marambio has worked in the fruit industry for more than 25 years, mainly in the private sector. He is a lawyer by profession and became president of national trade association Frutas de Chile in September 2022. Frutas de Chile was established in 1935 and now has more than 200 members, representing 90 per cent of total fresh fruit exports from Chile to the world.
Ivo Tunchel

StePac

Ivo Tunchel heads global business development for StePac and is based in Brazil. He has more than 30 years of experience in modified atmosphere packaging, humidity packaging and post-harvest, working to develop new solutions to improve post-harvest performance and productivity. He graduated from Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo, Brazil as an engineer.
Steve Alaerts

Foodcareplus & IFPA

Steve Alaerts is partner and director at Foodcareplus, a Remant Group division which specialises in logistics for perishables, particularly fresh produce. With 19 years in the field, Steve’s focus includes sustainable supply chain management and reducing food waste. Chairing the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Supply Chain Council, he drives innovation, sustainability, and cost-efficient market access solutions.
Lina Jasutiene

Recoupex

Lina Jasutiene is a shipping lawyer and founder and CEO of Recoupex, a global cargo transportation lawyers’ hub specialising in cargo claims recoveries. Lina is known as a sought-after cargo claim closer by exporters, importers, freight forwarders and marine insurers for her effective loss prevention strategies that boost bottom lines and cut losses.
Andrew Macnish

Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Dr Andrew Macnish is a supply chain innovation specialist with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. He has 25 years of research, development and training experience in supply chain monitoring, quantifying fruit and vegetable post-harvest performance and developing practical strategies for consistently delivering high quality fresh produce.
Luke Wood

Escavox

Luke Wood is founder and CEO of Escavox. He has held executive level roles in supply chain management, innovation, and companies in Australia, the UK and the US. Luke has spent his career designing and deploying technology into retail fresh food supply chains working with small companies, consultancies and large retailers. He is passionate about making food supply chains more efficient and transparent.
Marie Piccone

Manbulloo

Marie Piccone is the managing director and owner of Manbulloo, Australia’s largest producer and exporter of Kensington Pride and R2E2 mangoes. Marie is an experienced horticulturist who is passionate about providing consumers with great tasting, sustainable mangoes. Manbulloo is known for its strong and close relationships with partners and a commitment to innovation.
Brett Fifield

Hort Innovation

Brett Fifield leads the grower-owned research and development corporation for Australian horticulture, Hort Innovation. With more than 20 years of experience in agriculture, Brett brings a wealth of expertise to his position. He is passionate about delivering results for Australian growers and aligning Hort Innovation’s efforts and investments to the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Sean Ahn

International Finance Corporation

Sean Ahn is senior investment officer with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group. He has led debt and equity transactions in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries across various sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness, and services.
Yuyuh Sukmana

Vanguard Group International

Yuyuh Sukmana is regional manager - South-East Asia for Vanguard Group International. He has over a decade of fresh produce retailing experience and has spent 19 years with Vanguard, driving sales and marketing of imported fruits in the region. Based in Indonesia, Yuyuh brings expertise in sales, procurement, and market development.
Hendry Sim

Laris Manis Utama

Hendy Sim is vice president director of Indonesian distributor, Laris Manis Utama. Hendry has over 22 years of experience in the fruit import and export industry and leads a team that develops systems and technologies to support fruit export and import operations. He is committed to driving innovation, ensuring efficient and high-quality management, and fostering strong partnerships.
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.
Kate James

VentureFruit

Kate James is the business development manager for New Zealand-based premium variety management organisation, VentureFruit. She plays a pivotal role in driving commercial initiatives, ensuring VentureFruit remains at the forefront of innovation in fruit genetics. Her work spans strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, operational execution, and creating opportunities for all in the value chain.
Siebe van Wijk

The Fruit Republic

Siebe van Wijk is managing director and founder of two Vietnam-based companies: The Fruit Republic and Fresh Studio. The Fruit Republic is one of Vietnam’s premier fruit companies, with unique year-round exotic fruit production programmes. Fresh Studio has developed into a leading consulting and R&D firm for the sourcing and marketing of sustainable food in South-East Asia.