SHC

Four more top-level speakers have joined the exciting conference programme for the upcoming Eurofruit Southern Hemisphere Congress, which returns to Santiago, Chile, on 2-4 December, to give their expert views on the latest supply and market trends affecting the trade in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Alejandro Fresno, chairman of the Chilean Pink Lady Committee will take part in Session 4 alongside Simon Limmer of Zespri International and Ricardo Adonis of FDF (Chilean Fruit Development Foundation).

The trio will discuss varietal innovation within the Southern Hemisphere and offer their opinions on how growers and exporters can continue to excite consumers with better tasting and consistently top quality fruit varieties.

In Session 5, meanwhile, Ed Garner, communications director at UK-based research organisation TNS Worldpanel, will examine the current UK market trends and consumer habits influencing demand for Southern Hemisphere-grown fruits and vegetables.

“The conference programme for this year’s three-day event focuses on the fresh challenges faced by fruit and vegetable suppliers in the Southern Hemisphere as they continue to strive for success in this competitive business,” explained programme manager Gill McShane.

“The programme kicks off on Day Two (3 December) when senior industry figureheads will discuss the significance of issues such as the cost crunch, social and environmental responsibility and varietal innovation for the Southern Hemisphere fresh produce trade and the ways in which suppliers can respond to ever changing demands from the Northern Hemisphere,” she added.

“Day Three (4 December) will focus on the key trends in lucrative import markets such as the US, Europe and Asia, plus the exciting opportunities presented to Southern Hemisphere exporters by new and emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East, eastern Europe and Russia.”

Some 400 delegates are expected to attend this year’s Eurofruit Southern Hemisphere Congress, which will be held on 2-4 December at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Santiago in the Chilean capital, Santiago.

For a more detailed programme, further registration information and hotel details, visit the website at www.shcongress.com