AGENDA

 

FRUITNET TROPICALS CONGRESS 2026:
A NEW ERA FOR TROPICAL FRUIT

Simultaneous translation available Spanish to English and English to Spanish

TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2026

08:30 – 09:15
REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING

09:15 – 09:30
WELCOME TO FRUITNET TROPICALS CONGRESS: A NEW ERA OF TROPICAL FRUIT

• Maura Maxwell
• Chris White

09:30 – 10:15
SESSION 1: WHERE NEXT FOR TROPICALS?
 What are the key trends that will shape tomorrow’s tropicals market? A data-driven look at global supply, pricing and consumption.

• Cindy van Rijswick, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness
• Daniel Bentley, Tesco 
• Juan Antonio Reyes, Reyes Gutierrez 
• Joel Pascual, Cartama Europe

10:15 – 11:00
SESSION 2: THE CONSUMPTION CONUNDRUM
 Growing the tropical fruit category starts with understanding the consumer. From shifting preferences to regional differences, this session explores how robust consumer insight and research can unlock demand, shape better products, and drive sustained consumption growth.

• Nuria Pizan, NurBrands
• Adriano Di Dia, Fyffes International
• Shelly Vorster, World Avocado Organisation  
• Maria Wieloch, ICA Gruppen

11:00 – 11:45
NETWORKING BREAK

11:45 – 12:15
SESSION 3: WHAT RETAILERS REALLY WANT FROM TROPICALS SUPPLIERS
 Quality consistency, responsible sourcing, year-round supply and minimal waste are now fundamental retail expectations. But as shopper behaviour evolves and retailers refine their category strategies, suppliers must adapt quickly. This session takes a deep dive into how supplier partnerships are evolving, and what benefits a longer-term approach can bring for suppliers, retailers and consumers.

• Franka Rodriguez, Aldi

12:15 – 13:00
SESSION 4: INNOVATION SHOWCASE
Better fruit: The tech changing sustainability, quality & freshness
 From non-destructive testing to plant-based coatings, a new wave of innovation is transforming how fruit is grown, processed, branded and delivered. This session showcases the technologies helping the industry consistently deliver fresher, higher-quality and more sustainable fruit to consumers.

• René Clerc, OneThird
• Olga Dubey, AgroSustain
• Duncan Jones, Sinclair 

13:00 – 13:45
SESSION 5: LOGISTICS AND FRESHNESS – WAYS TO BUILD SMARTER TROPICALS SUPPLY CHAINS
 The tropicals trade faces ongoing logistics uncertainty, from freight rate fluctuations to shipping delays and climate-related disruptions. Our panel considers the logistical landscape facing suppliers and discusses effective strategies and technologies that can help build more resilient, responsive global networks.

• Drew Zabrocki, Totem
• Martha King, Totem
• Simon Derrick, Blue Skies Holdings
• Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Aston University / Colead

 

13:45– 14:00
SESSION 6: TRUE SUSTAINABILITY
True sustainability isn’t a label – it’s soil, science, and hard decisions in every hectare. What does it really means to grow tropical fruit sustainably in a world shaped by climate, cost, and labour pressures?

 • José Antonio Alconchel, Alcoaxarquía

14:00 – 15:00
NETWORKING LUNCH

15:00 – 15:30
SESSION 7: RISING ABOVE THE COMMODITY CURVE
As production of key tropical lines expands and competition intensifies, products risk slipping further into commodity territory. At the same time, retailers in key markets continue to push for lower prices and longer promotions, squeezing supplier margins. This session examines how the industry can defend value through smarter segmentation, stronger branding, improved quality consistency, and closer collaboration across the supply chain.

• Gianpaolo Renino, Del Monte
• Alessandro Fornari, Jingold  

15:30 – 16:00
SESSION 8: NEW HORIZONS
Revitalising the Banana Category
 Bananas remain one of the world’s most consumed fruits, yet category value has stagnated, and growers struggle under mounting costs and market pressure. With new consumer insights, marketing strategies and sustainability initiatives emerging, this session explores how bananas can regain excitement, achieve fairer returns, and secure a more resilient future.

• Andrew Dominy, Tropic Biosciences

Supplier showcase: Vietnam  
Vietnam exports a wide range of fresh, high-quality tropical fruits to Europe, including mangoes, passion fruit, pineapple, coconut, dragon fruit and pomelo. 

• Siebe Van Wijk, The Fruit Republic  

16:00 – 16:30
NETWORKING BREAK  

16:30 – 17:00
SESSION 9: BEYOND WHOLE FRUIT – OPPORTUNITIES IN FOODSERVICE, FRESH-CUT AND PROCESSING
 The fastest‑growing part of the fresh tropical fruit business today is the value‑added segment — products that go beyond whole fruit to meet modern consumer preferences for convenience, consistency, nutrition, and taste. We explore the latest trends and commercial opportunities driving growth in these value-added segments. 

• Thierry Athimon, Montosa
• Victor Luque, Trops
• Jai Thakrar, Jalaram Fruit
• Daniela Busseni, Westfalia Fruit

17:00 – 18:00
NETWORKING DRINKS

EXHIBITION ENDS

WEDNESDAY 1 JULY 2026

DELEGATE TOURS

Fruitnet Tropicals Congress delegates can sign up for hosted tours to selected retail stores and distribution facilities. A separate booking form will be sent to all registered delegates to secure their space on these tours. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.