Global Tomato Congress 2019
![On 26 November 2019 the Global Tomato Congress took place in Rotterdam, for everyone interested in the tomato chain. A tomato quiz was started.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0025.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Joe Shaw-Roberts of Kantar Worldpanel kicked off the substantive part. Among other things, he called for even better consumer involvement in the entire, diverse tomato range by, for example, communicating better health benefits on packaging.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0027.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Arend Schot of Syngenta sees a 'romantic retro' trend, i.e. the consumer's desire to cook with tomatoes in the same way as grandmother did in the past. Breeding companies are responding to this with new, 'old' varieties.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0031.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![In between the presentations and occasionally during the presentations, there was enough space for networking. In the photo Gert-Jan Van Geest of Eminent Food and Niels Koolstra of Eminent Seeds.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1241.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Jessica Mulder of Sunset of Holland, the collaboration between Sunset and Soho Produce launched this year. On the picture with Johan Knoll of TNI Holland](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1232.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Robert van den Berg (Bakker Barendrecht), Suzanne van der Werff (Bakker Barendrecht) and Corné van Winsen (ZON Fruit and Vegetables)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0072.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Stefan den Hollander (Harvest House), Mark Versluis (Harvest House), Stephan Schneider (Cre8tives) and Gert-Jan Tamerus (Harvest House)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0077.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Team Axia Vegetable Seeds present - not only for the tomato event but also to celebrate the birthday of Cees Kortekaas!](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/tomaten.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Marc Beckmann, Landgard, Carsten Knodt, Gemüsebau Carsten Knodt, Jurgen Werner of Rijk Zwaan, Dennis de Wit of Priva and Jeroen Driessen of Greenyard.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1255.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Joost Haenen with Ludvig Svensson, Giama Corbelli with Messe Berlin, Thomas Karl with Fruit Logistica, Andreas Hofland with Hortikey, Martien Penning with Hillenraad & Nele Indevuyst with AHK Debelux & Messe Berlin.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1261.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Pieter Vermeulen of Sakata, Hellen Barnes of Tomatoes NZ, Andrea Disco of HortiServices, Rene Zwinkels of Greenco and Bart Sosef of Biobest.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1265.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![A very international company: Ciacomo Ballandi (Checci e Magli), Arie Verhaas (Bos Brothers/Morrisons), Jesus and Richard Diplock (Eric Wall Ltd).](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0085.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Massimiliano Persico (Carton Pack), Pedro Martinez Lazaro (Induser) en Massimo Bellotti (Carton Pack)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0106.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Wilco van den Berg (GroentenFruitHuis), Sandra van der Veer (Van Nature) and Frits Verbeek (The Greenery)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0111.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Sharon Van Alphen (Cooperatie Hoogstraten), Chris Dibble (Total Produce) and Luc Bruneel (Cooperatie Hoogstraten)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0120.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Twan Jacobs (Enza Zaden), Maria del Mar Peralta (Enza Zaden), Maarten van den Heuvel (Enza Zaden) and Mari Carmen Manjon Rodriguez (Enza Zaden).](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0126.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Jeroen de Weerdt (Incotec), Ofer Ben-Zvi (Tomatech), Klaus Büchel (Klaus Büchel Anstalt), Wilfred Scheffers (Plantfactory) en Brechje Veerman (Incotec)](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0131.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Emma Burke of APS Salads told us that she does not believe in fully automating the cultivation process, although sensors and robots do offer opportunities for further automating the cultivation process.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0151.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![David Del Pino (Freshstrategy) opted for 'market integrated breeding' and created several models on screen.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0155.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![CASI's Antonio Domene joined Freshstrategy's David Del Pino on the stage. David said that the difficult times the Spanish tomato sector is going through are increasing the willingness to work together. Antonio agreed, while reiterating his concerns about the increasing non-European competition (read: North African tomato cultivation).](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0160.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![On the Fresh Ideas stage, Eric van der Meer of FoodVentures took the listeners along in the process of setting up cultivation companies in 'unexplored' horticultural countries. One of the tips: "Never pay bribes!"](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0168.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Luc Bruneel of Coöperatie Hoogstraten talked about the consumer research that has been done to better anticipate consumer needs, especially those of Generation Z.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0172.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Breeding companies were well represented at the Global Tomato Congress, but trade and retailers were also present. For example, Stephan Weist of the German REWE Group. He believes that his supermarkets currently have far too many SKUs (stock management units) when it comes to tomatoes. This makes it difficult for consumers to choose on the shelf and also causes headaches for retailers. Of the 870 SKUs that Rewe currently has, Stephan would like to go back to 'just' about 24 SKUs.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0037.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Hans Christoph Behr (AMI) discussed a country and the state of tomato cultivation and trade there in ten minutes each time during the day.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0039.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Next to the main stage there were two other, smaller stages. On the Launchpad stage is Massimo Bellotti of Carton Pack speaking.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0043.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Jos Looije spoke almost simultaneously on the Fresh Ideas stage about the path that Looye Kwekers follows building brands in the tomato world. "Ninety percent of a tomato is water, so as a cultivation company you have to sell emotion."](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0050.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![At noon on the main stage it was time for a panel discussion with four breeding companies, represented by Jörg Werner (Rijk Zwaan), Pilar Checa (Syngenta), Cees Kortekaas (Axia Vegetable Seeds) and Hans Verwegen (Enza Zaden). Among other things, it was about communicating when selling a product. "We, as breeding companies, can prepare that piece of communication as well as possible, but we are not the party that has to carry it out. This is a task for the retail sector, where we can help."](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0054.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Dean Taylor explained about Mastronardi Produce and all the brands under the Sunset Produce umbrella. "We're not afraid to be replaced by retail when it comes to brands. Retail wants to work with us, because we have the strength to build brands as a full package: including materials and knowledge, that we have."](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_0065.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![The ladies of Looye Kwekers: Katja Kamp, Fleur van Ravensteijn, Marjolijn Put and Marinka van der Ark](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1198.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Peter Colbers, Ruud Kaagman & Pieter Stijnen with Syngenta accomponied by Joost Haenen with Svensson.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1212.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Discussion about the role of new varieties with Pilar Checa of Syngenta, Cees Kortekaas of Axia Vegetable Seeds, Hans Verwegen of Enza Zaden and Jorg Werner of Rijk Zwaan Germany.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1223.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Chris Groot and Marc Mens with Enza Zaden with in the middle Ton Janssen with Tasty Tom, who may have sold the nursery but hasn't exactly had a quiet year yet.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1227.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Niek Finaut (Reo Veiling), Leen Matthe (Cooperatie Hoogstraten), Philiep Willems (Reo Veiling) and Loes van der Velden, Den Berk](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1245.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Joost Haenen by Ludvig Svensson on the effects of diffuse light and how screens can help you achieve these.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/9581/DSC_1302.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
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