Growers Meeting sees berry group emphasise the importance of close cooperation and discuss future varietal concepts and industry challenges
Berry specialist Herbert Widmann recently welcomed partner producers and industry experts to its first international Widmann Growers Meeting, held at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The event brought together the group’s international network and focused on knowledge transfer and joint preparation to face the future challenges of the international berry market.
Managing partner Hans Widmann opened the event by emphasising the importance of close cooperation within the company’s global producer network, while participants were also given an insight into the group and its international presence.
Cultivation manager Steffen Finder reported on current projects across the company’s own farming operations.
The programme also saw Sebastian Ochoa of CASM highlight global market trends and future challenges for producers, and Alexis Simoes of Fall Creek present the latest developments in blueberry breeding and discuss future variety concepts and requirements for modern berry cultivation.
It concluded with a presentation from the perspective of the food retail sector, which focused on the expectations of consumers and the future requirements of the trade in terms of quality, sustainability and security of supply.
“The requirements for the global berry industry are constantly evolving – be it due to new consumer expectations, climate change or increasing quality requirements,” said Hans Widmann.
“In order to successfully counter these developments, we need strong partnerships, mutual trust and an open exchange.
”This is exactly why we bring our producers and partners together at the Growers Meeting – because innovation is created where people talk to each other,” he noted.
Andre Kirchenwitz, managing director of Widmann and moderator of the meeting, also underlined the importance of the international network.
“Our success is based on the close cooperation with our partner producers and our own farming operations within the Widmann Group,” said Kirchenwitz.
“By sharing knowledge, experience and innovation, we can create the conditions for sustainable growth together and continue to meet the needs of our customers in the future.”
After the technical programme, international guests were given a behind-the-scenes look at one of Europe’s most famous stadiums during an exclusive guided tour of the Allianz Arena.
The event concluded with a traditional Bavarian evening, which was opened by Hans Widmann with the ‘tapping of the barrel’ and offered participants further networking opportunities.
“With the Growers Meeting, Herbert Widmann GmbH demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its international network of partner producers and its own cultivation companies,” the company stated.
“Personal dialogue, mutual learning and a common understanding of future market requirements form the basis for long-term and successful partnerships.”
