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Event: Global Tomato Congress puts sustainability in the spotlight

17/04/2023

Press release
Netherlands,
European Union
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The annual Global Tomato Congress returns to Rotterdam on 16 May, focusing on how growers, breeders and technology companies can contribute to the overall sustainability of the category.
 
As the challenges of the past year continue to be felt, the Global Tomato Congress is back in Rotterdam on 16 May with a programme filled with talks and discussions about how to safeguard the future of the fresh tomato business. 

The theme of this year’s event is sustainability at a time of crisis – expert speakers will examine the best means of ensuring the future success of tomatoes, in the face of high costs, ToBRFV and the increasing impact of climate change. 
Cindy Van Rijswick of Rabobank and Luc Vanoirbeek of the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives (VBT) will look at the impact of high energy costs and rising inflation, and the importance of economic sustainability and greater cooperation.
Max Van Den Hemel of Dutch consultants Delphy, Siddharth Jadhav of Polybee, Lee Kirsopp of WayBeyond, Jaap Weerheim of Certhon and Rien Kamman of Source.ag will talk about developments in data-driven crop management, the benefits of collaboration with breeders and the evolving role of technology in greenhouse tomato production.
Eduard Fitó of Spanish seed company Semillas Fitó will present on the way forward for tomato breeders, asking if it is time to adapt varieties to a low labour, fully automated future.
Rick van Meurs of Rijk Zwaan and Jeroen Rouppe van der Voort of Enza Zaden will provide an update on how breeders are faring in the fight against ToBRFV, while Christian Zeiler will offer a grower's perspective.
Dirk Aleven of FoodVentures will share his experience opening greenhouses for tomatoes in Kazakhstan, highlighting the advantages of local, sustainable production.
And following the recent tomato shortages in the UK, Abdelkhalak Torres of Moroccan exporter Delassus Group and Imre Vellenga of Agro Care Growers will talk about the growing potential of Morocco and Tunisia and discuss how such shortages can be avoided in the future.
Finally, on the crucial subject of taste, Karin Gorree of Normec Foodcare will discuss taste and quality monitoring in the category, while Dr Jordi Ballester of Let It Out Food Creativity will talk about creating and designing new concepts for tomatoes. 
 
For more information on the event, please visit www.globaltomatocongress.com