The world’s only trade fair dedicated exclusively to the apple sector returns to South Tyrol in November 2024, with a particular focus on new technologies
New breeding technologies and digital technologies for orchards are at the heart of the next edition of Interpoma, the only trade fair in the world dedicated exclusively to the apple sector.
The biennial event, which takes place in Bolzano, Italy, from November 21 to 23, brought together 490 exhibitors from 18 different countries for its final meeting in 2022, when more than 16,000 visitors from 70 different countries traveled to South Tyrol for the show.
“We are extremely proud to host the 13th edition of Interpoma,” says Thomas Mur, CEO of event organizer Fiera Bolzano. “We have never lost sight of our main objective: to focus on the apple sector as a whole, paying attention to technological advances over the years. This edition will not disappoint as it will explore the apple orchards of the future, brand new digital solutions and new production strategies.”
In recent years, cutting-edge technologies and sustainable agriculture have become major concerns for apple growers around the world. The orchard of the future is therefore the key theme of Interpoma 2024, which encompasses digital innovations, artificial intelligence and much more. Exhibitors will present new ways to improve the production, harvesting and quality assessment of apples during production.
On the first day of the Interpoma congress, Thomas Letschka from the Laimburg Experimental Center will chair a panel discussion on the potential future impact of new variety developments.
The session will bring together Ania Lukasiewicz, genome editing expert from Wageningen University and Research, Giovanni Broggini, breeding technology specialist from ETC Zurich, and Neal Carter from the Canadian group Okanagan Specialty Fruits, which has genetically modified two non-browning varieties now marketed under the brand name Arctic. Market experts Angela Bearth from HF Partners and Jan Plagge from Bioland will also participate in the session.
The second day will be dedicated to digital solutions in orchards. Luigi Manfrini from the University of Bologna will chair a panel composed of Alexandre Escolà Agustí from the University of Lleida, Ken Breen from Plant & Food Research, Steve Mantle from innov8.ag, Ian Goodwin from Agriculture Victoria in Australia, Konni Biegert from Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (Germany) and Walter Guerra from the Laimburg Experimental Center.
Guerra, who is responsible for coordinating the Interpoma congress program, will explain how the use of integrated sensors and data can improve the efficiency of an orchard. And this is just one of many topics – covering precision agriculture, data, machine learning and intelligent mapping – that will improve the audience’s knowledge of orchard management.