Mexico, the world largest fresh tomato exporter, shipped more fresh tomatoes than green peppers, limes, avocados or mangos in 2015. In terms of production value, tomatoes are the most important vegetable for the country, with 60% of this value represented by fresh tomato varieties grown under protected structures.
With this background, the International Tomato Congress taking place in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, this July 20-22, 2016 will focus on delivering strategies for a sustainable growth in tomato production. San Luis Potosi, the second largest tomato growing state in the country, after registering a 38% growth in production in just one year, will host this event for second consecutive year.
Located in central Mexico, also known as El Bajio, this region has a large number of high tech greenhouse operations.
The event annually organized by Productores de Hortalizas® magazine, a Meister Media Worldwide brand, is the only conference and trade show in the country focused on fresh tomato production for the export market. This year, the International Tomato Congress program will cover production strategies that improve growers’ efficiencies ultimately increasing their bottom line.
The conference will have 12 educational sessions: Murat Kacira, Professor and Researcher from the University of Arizona will present “Optimizing Greenhouse Environment for Tomato Production” on the first day of the event, followed by Steven Bogash, Researcher-Consultant from Penn State University who will teach attendees “How to Manage Nutritional Requirements of Tomato Crops.”
The second day will host Paul Selina, VP of Applied Research from Village Farms (USA) who will expand on “Optimizing Systemic Greenhouse Processes.” Later that afternoon, Merle Jensen, Researcher and Independent Consultant will share his expertise on “How to Optimize the Use of Different Growing Media.”
Other topics to be presented during the event include: Sustainable practices in fresh tomato production, biological control of Bacterial canker, Cost management in mid-tech protected structures, How to optimize solar radiation in greenhouse structures, and Proper nutritional
management to avoid physiological disorders.
The educational features of the International Tomato Congress will be rounded out with highly interactive sessions, including a discussion panel on Growing and Marketing Organic Vegetables, and a virtual tour to a state-of-the-art warehousing facility for fresh produce in Texas.
Case studies on collaboration between academia and industry by representatives from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP), along with the latest developments on Mexico’s greenhouse industry by the president of the Mexican Association for Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) will provide the perfect close to the conference.
Day three will connect attendees to the local greenhouse tomato production with a field trip to a successful greenhouse operation, El Sureño Invernaderos. Transportation and meals provided, attendees will be able to learn firsthand the technological requirements of managing a greenhouse tomato production through different workshops spread throughout the operation.
Last year more than 600 attendees and 80 exhibitors from Mexico, the U.S. and other tomato growing regions joined the event. 70% of participants said they would definitely attend again. With a projected growth of 20%, this year’s event will be the perfect setting for learning, showcasing new products and making new business connections.
For more information:
Ana Isabel Reho, Publisher
Mexico Horticulture Group
Meister Media Worldwide
Office: +1 (440) 602-9102