The INTERPOMA CHINA 2018 International Congress & Exhibition is concluded, marking the second successful China edition of the event organized by Fiera Bolzano in cooperation with Messe München Shanghai. The two-day event attracted 1,000 professional apple industry expo visitors from China and around the world, who were eager to participate in the modernization and globalization of China’s apple industry. The Congress garnered 650 attendees which discussed the latest growing techniques and technologies, while industry leaders from China introduced the state of the Chinese industry.
The learning and networking experience gained an extra boost from two orchard tours, which were appreciated from both Chinese and international attendees. “This is the professional show for the apple industry, so we really consider it a must-attend event,” said Mr. CHEN Yongchun, General Manager of Fruitong Science and Technology (FRT), an exhibitor at the show specializing in climate-controlled warehouses. “Plus, the quality of the Congress is very good. We will definitely exhibit again at next year’s INTERPOMA CHINA in Shanghai.”
This year’s INTERPOMA CHINA placed an emphasis on new machineries, equipment and tools that can be employed in China's cultivation of apples, which visitors got the opportunity to better understand through conversation with the 30 companies from Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and China who were exhibiting their products and services. The exhibitors which already participated in at last year’s inaugural INTERPOMA CHINA, were happy with the second edition. "We generated some good business from exhibiting at the first show last year," says LIU Linxuan, Sales Director of Haisheng Nursery.
"This year we met with some more potential customers and we'll follow up with them after the show. We've already signed up for next year's INTERPOMA CHINA." With the main topic “China and the Apple in the World,” the INTERPOMA CHINA International Congress was praised by its 650 participants. The international Interpoma experts committee recruited top speakers covering a wide spectrum of the topics.
These ranged from highlighting the latest cutting-edge international modern growing techniques, such as fertilizer management, pest and disease management and cold storage, to an in-depth look at the current state of China production and retail market. Günther Mahlknecht of GRIBA Nursery in Terlano, Italy presented the topic “The Knip-Boom Production in Nursery,” while Li Baohua, a Professor at Qingdao Agricultural University talked about “The current situation, problems and solution of apple pest management in China.”
To sum it up, INTERPOMA CHINA International Congress attendees walked away with a heightened understanding of both global best practices and the status of the Chinese industry. They also learned that, despite strong modernization of orchards in the area around Weihai (China’s leading apple producing region), China has an urgent need for even further modernization of cultivation across the country so as to meet market demand amidst labor shortages and rising costs. Thomas Mur, Managing Director of Fiera Bolzano Exhibition Center, commented: “We chose the right topics for the Congress, and as a result we have received positive feedback from the attendees. Like at Interpoma Bolzano, to be held from November 15 to 17 this year, we will make no compromise on the quality of the Congress. Our mission is to be a premium networking platform for the cultivation, storage and marketing of apples by creating value for exhibitors and visitors alike.”