Leading representatives from the global blueberry business will come together to discuss market demand, production potential, export opportunities and varietal research at the International Blueberry Organization’s (IBO) fourth annual summit this week.
Taking place at the RIU Guadalajara Plaza Hotel on 10-12 March, the IBO brings its 2014 meeting to Mexico for the first time in recognition of the country’s emergence as an important berry producer.
“The three-day event gets underway on Monday with the IBO’s annual board meeting,” explained the association’s chairman, Andrés Armstrong.
“A full day of seminars follows the next day before the event wraps up on Wednesday with an industry tour to visit some Mexican growers."
On Day Two, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s (USHBC) chairman Parm Bains will kick off the presentations by giving an in-depth analysis of the U.S. market for blueberries where demand remains insatiable for the popular superfood.
Host country Mexico will feature in three sessions during which Inés Masallach Armijo of marketing firm Imalinx, Raúl Urteaga Trani from the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture (Sagarpa) and a roundtable of expert speakers will discuss Mexico’s blueberry history, its global opportunities and production potential respectively.
Detailed country presentations will be given by leading representatives from associations and companies in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, South Africa, the U.K., the U.S. and Uruguay.
Portugal and Korea will also come under the spotlight as Sofia Freitas, coordinator at the Association for Small Fruits and Business Innovation in Portugal (AGIM), examines the challenges and opportunities for Portugal’s blueberry sector, and CS Rim from Very Berry Korea gives his insight into the Korean market.
Additionally, Dr. Chad Finn from the Oregon State University in the U.S. will reveal the latest in research and development into blueberry varieties.
The IBO Summit 2014 is sponsored by some of the leading companies in the international blueberry industry, including BBC Technologies, Biotempak, Driscoll’s, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Flexo Soluciones, FMC and Hortifrut.
Last year’s meeting, held in Santiago, Chile, attracted 160 delegates from the world’s main blueberry producing countries. The IBO expects around 200 people to attend in 2014.
About the International Blueberry Organization
The IBO is a global organization that unites leaders from across the blueberry industry to share information, improve understanding, address mutual challenges, coordinate potential solutions and explore opportunities. Its mission is to raise blueberry consumption and advance the health and sustainability of the blueberry industry by providing an international platform to discuss issues of common interest between growing and exporting countries.
For more information, visit the IBO’s website: www.internationalblueberry.org
Source: International Blueberry Organization
