It was with great satisfaction that we participated in the first edition of the International Strawberry and Raspberry Conference Berry Forum 2024, which took place on November 27-28 at the Mazurkas Hotel in Ożarów Mazowiecki. As Agronom Group, we had the honor of being one of the key participants in this prestigious event, which gathered leading experts in the berry industry from Poland and abroad.
Berry Forum 2024 turned out to be a true center of knowledge and innovation, bringing together producers, scientists, advisors and representatives of the berry industry in one place. The rich conference program, divided into two thematic days dedicated to strawberries and raspberries, allowed for an in-depth discussion of the most important aspects of growing and selling these fruits. During the first day, focused on strawberries, we could listen to lectures on optimal systems and varieties for cultivation, technology of cultivation in tunnels, organic solutions, nutrient management and – what is extremely important – the expectations of retail chains. The second day, dedicated to raspberries, equally aptly addressed key issues such as the choice of varieties and cultivation technology, trends in soilless cultivation, nutrient solution management, plant protection programs and global trends in breeding.
Our involvement in the conference was multidimensional, and the Agronom Group representation consisted of experienced specialists from both Agronom Berries and Agronom Plants. Of particular importance was our participation in the most important debates and presentations, which determined the directions of development of the industry in the coming years.
Day One – Strawberries
The first day of the conference, devoted to the strawberry topic, brought many valuable discussions and exchanges of experiences. One of the key moments was the debate on the requirements for selling fruit in supermarkets, in which the Managing Director of Agronom Berries, Andrzej Łukijańczuk, actively participated. His subsequent presentation on the expectations and requirements of retail chains towards producers and suppliers of berries was met with great interest by the participants, providing practical knowledge on current market trends.
Day two – Raspberries
The second day of the conference, focusing on raspberries, also featured significant presentations by our experts. The debate on the requirements for new raspberry varieties introduced to the market, in which the owner of Agronom Group, Paweł Dąbrowski, participated, was particularly valuable. His participation in the discussion panel, together with such renowned experts as Dr Agnieszka Orzeł, Nico de Groot from Advance Berry Breeding and Alessandro Gualandi from G-Berries, highlighted the position of our company in the international industry environment.
A significant contribution to the substantive value of the conference were the presentations of Agronom Plants experts. Dariusz Daniłkiewicz and Damian Gaik presented comprehensive analyses of fruit yields and harvest planning, sharing practical tips and experiences from many years of work in the sector.
During the entire event, informal meetings and talks in the corridors were also of particular value. Our specialists, including Arkadiusz Smarz, Grzegorz Makaruk and Piotr Krzymowski from the sales department of Agronom Berries, held numerous talks with participants, exchanging experiences and establishing new business contacts. Karol Milaniuk, Experience Manager at Agronom Plants, and Paulina Andrzejkiewicz-Makaruk, Key Account Specialist, actively participated in networking, presenting cooperation opportunities and the latest solutions offered by our company.
Berry Forum 2024 proved to be an excellent platform for presenting our comprehensive approach to the berry industry. The conference confirmed that Agronom Group, combining the experience of Agronom Berries and Agronom Plants, offers a full spectrum of services and solutions for berry producers – from the selection of varieties and cultivation technologies, through technical consulting, to support in the sale and distribution of fruit.
Particularly valuable was the opportunity to discuss current challenges in the industry, such as optimizing growing systems, managing nutrients in substrate crops or adapting to changing retail market requirements. All these aspects were widely discussed during the conference and our experts made significant contributions to these discussions.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the organizers of Berry Forum 2024 for the perfect preparation of this event and for creating excellent conditions for substantive discussion and exchange of experiences. We are also grateful to all participants for their active participation in the debates and inspiring conversations. This event confirmed that joint action and exchange of knowledge are key to the further development of the berry industry in Poland and Europe.
We are convinced that the knowledge and contacts gained during Berry Forum 2024 will contribute to the further development of not only our company, but the entire berry sector. We are looking forward to the next editions of this valuable conference, which has already proven its high rank and importance for the industry in its first edition.
