• On August 21 and 22, experts will share tools that have allowed us to face challenges in climate, logistics and marketing issues. In addition, they will provide the keys to respond to current consumer demand on a global level.
• The sponsors of this event are Frutas de Chile and Fedefruta, both associations that are continually supporting research and dissemination activities together with the academy. In addition, sponsors with a strong national and international presence have joined.

Santiago, June 2024.- Chile is a global benchmark in the fruit area, and its prestige is due to the constant drive of the industry and the contribution of experts from different institutions who have dedicated their lives to improving production and export processes.

The progress of this public-private effort will be presented within the framework of the Annual Postharvest Conferences organized by the Postharvest Unit of INIA La Platina and the Center for Postharvest Studies of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Chile, next August 21 and 22, 2024 | Conference Website

The sponsors of this event are Frutas de Chile and Fedefruta, both associations that are continually supporting research and dissemination activities together with the academy. In addition, an important group of sponsors has joined, which correspond to input and technology supplier companies with a strong national and international presence.

Regarding the organizers, they are professionals with more than 25 years of experience developing research and training skills in the fruit and vegetable industry. In the case of the Research Institute, the coordinator is the regional director of INIA La Platina and coordinator of the Postharvest Unit. Bruno Defilippi, Ph.D, while from the university he is Professor Dr. Víctor Hugo Escalona. On this occasion, a third actor from the industry joined the organizing committee: the agronomist and Quality and Postharvest manager of the exporter Agroberries, Francisco Herrera.

Regarding the importance of bringing together the public and private sectors, Dr. Defilippi explained that “advance and development in topics such as post-harvest have always been hand in hand with a strong interaction between industry and academia. This has allowed us to have a fruit production and export model with a great knowledge base, positioning Chile as a leading country on the subject."

Meanwhile, Dr. Escalona He said that “this is the third post-harvest day that we have organized where we have been growing, despite the fact that the Pandemic made us lose continuity, this year we have returned with a broader view where academia, students and the industry come together. This means extending the day to two days and doubling the number of participants as much as possible. The program will include the results of the academy in genetics, reproduction, harvest and post-harvest, where consolidated researchers, students and companies will participate; "This with the aim of contributing from different areas to improve the fruit and vegetable export sector of our country."

Francisco Herrera He highlighted how years ago a group of industry professionals met to share experiences, ideas and solutions to common issues, thus generating the Postharvest Conferences. “There is great interest in finding meeting points between professionals who work on common species, as well as listening and learning from other species with similar problems. The added value of this group, which is made up of more than 50 professionals from different companies and species, is the high degree of experience and practical knowledge in processes, fruit condition and direct contact with the end customer for many seasons, which is the “first source of information for improvements and establishing the lines of research that the academy needs.”

The president of Fedefruta, Victor Catan, pointed out that “For the Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile, these types of instances that allow us time to calmly review and update trends within the framework of the different post-harvest processes of fruit, are essential to maintain and perfect high standards every day. that Chile has in the world, due to the quality of the products it sends abroad. Classification, packaging, packaging, transportation, distribution and the different technologies that these processes involve are key to the quality of our fruits and that is why at Fedefruta we support these activities that involve our producers with the vision of the academy.".

The technical and technological transfer of studies and tools that allow us to improve production processes, and with it, the quality of our fruits is key, as is promoting joint work with the public sector and academia. Today, Chile is the main exporter of fresh fruits in the southern hemisphere and the world's largest supplier of fresh cherries and plums, in addition to being an important exporter of blueberries, kiwis and table grapes, where this joint and collaborative public-private and academic work It has been vital, and continues to be relevant, to improve our competitiveness in destination markets. The next Annual Postharvest Conferences are an example of these efforts for the benefit not only of the sector, but also of consumers and the country.", accurate Ivan Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile.

Science-academia meeting 

The activity will take place at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Chile and the program will cover topics related to the effect of climate and pre-harvest in quality and condition; technologies and processes; sanitation and disease management; biotechnology, among others.

The presentations will be presented both orally and in poster form, in order to expand participation to a greater number of exhibitors, explained the organizing committee. For this, the submitted works will be selected and may be presented orally in shorter talks or on a poster.

Regarding entry to the conference, a differentiated value was considered for the general public and students, both at a price that facilitates the attendance of all those interested in managing post-harvest technologies. Therefore, it is important that registrations be made as soon as possible to ensure a place.

For further information Press here