Organisers are looking forward to welcoming visitors to Fruit Focus 2023, taking place on 12 July 2023 and hosted by NIAB at East Malling.
This year’s Fruit Focus has everything that a fruit grower needs to improve yield and productivity in the coming seasons: knowledge exchange, purchasing and information-gathering opportunities, networking and fun.
The Fruit Focus Knowledge Exchange 2023 includes a wide range of opportunities for learning and sharing best practice. The NFU Fruit Forum will address pressing topics in the industry including Enabling growth for UK horticulture and Delivering fair supply chains for growers.
In addition, speakers will cover technical topics and the latest research in energy reduction/lighting solutions, robotics and automation, the responsible sourcing of growing materials, new irrigation tech, integrated pest management, packaging advances and more. The NFU Fruit Forum will host a full schedule of seminars from 9am to 4pm.
New for 2023, the Fruit Research Innovation Hub sponsored by Innovate UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), both part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will be coming together with Growing Kent & Medway to connect businesses across the supply chain with research funding opportunities and expertise.
This is an important opportunity to connect the fruit industry with government funders to help inform the future direction of fruit research and innovation. Special tours start at the Fruit Research Innovation Hub at 10am, 11am and 2pm.
A key returning element of the Fruit Focus Knowledge Exchange is the NIAB research tour programme. The expanded line-up of tours will feature NIAB researchers presenting and guiding Fruit Focus visitors on topics from pathology to vines and wines, as well as many subjects in between. The research tours will leave from the meeting point near to the NIAB stand.
The exhibition at Fruit Focus is growing and we are pleased to have over 100 exhibitors showcasing the very best in products and services for UK fruit growers. From the latest in greenhouse construction to the newest biotechnologies, Fruit Focus exhibitors have visitors’ purchasing and information-gathering needs covered. As part of the exhibition, leading companies will be demonstrating their latest technologies on their stands.
Visitors are promised not simply a great deal of information in the well-rounded and diverse Fruit Focus exhibition but the opportunity to collect both BASIS and NRoSO points at selected exhibitors along the Fruit Focus Knowledge Trail. The knowledge trail stamp card is available from the BASIS and NRoSO stand.
The Fruit Focus team hopes visitors will take time at the event to celebrate the achievements of the UK fruit industry. At 11:45am in the NFU Fruit Forum, the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers’ David Hohnen and Student Prizes will be presented. These are awarded to students for outstanding levels of dedication and achievement in the field of horticulture and fruit in particular.
Also new for 2023 is an afternoon fruit and wine reception starting at 2pm. Co-hosted by Fruit Focus & Cocogreen, the reception promises music and good company plus UK fruit, wine and cheese to round out the day.
