Hort Connections kicked off this morning with a breakfast session followed by many diverse and inspirational speakers.
Matt Brand CEO of Hort Innovations outlined the importance of the fruit and vegetable industry and how the Australian exports of fresh produce have increased by 22% in the last five years, oranges, grapes and almonds being the major products. He compared working in the horticultural industry to herding cats... "when it's hard that is when it matters."
Matt Brand CEO of Hort Innovations
Hort Innovation sees a new vision for a healthy, prosperous Australia which can be achieved by driving knowledge, better understanding the consumer and diverting more money to multi-industry projects.
James Whitehead CEO of AUSVEG spoke about "Growing Food For the Future", How will that food be grown? What does the industry need to do secure food safety and biosecurity and over the challenges faced with labour and water.
Darren Keating CEO of PMA A-NZ spoke about the trends in the fresh produce industry and drivers for change.
Dr Sandro Demaio spoke about the challenges and opportunities in growing a healthier future for a 10 billion world, Looking at the various factors influencing the food system such as climate change, poverty and conflict.
Lauren Scott PMa looked at different ways to encourage people to eat more fresh produce, she discussed why people make the decisions to buy the food they buy.
Presentations on how to market fresh produce finished off the speaker sessions in the afternoon.
Meanwhile the trade show floor was busy and also had speaker sessions running throughout the day.
Fresh Plaza will have a photo report of the event and full coverage of the speaker sessions next week.