(100 photos)
Syngenta hosts annual Tomato Conference 2008 in The Netherlands



Tholen - The annual tomato conference of Syngenta was held in idyllic Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands this year. About 350 delegates attended the conference, which was a great success
according to the organisers. Delegates listened, talked and discussed the cultivation, the supply chain and the health promoting properties of tomatoes.

The aim of the conference was to establish the modern trends in production and the consumption of tomatoes. The most important trends are the market for biological and convenience products. Syngenta plans to get involved in these trends with their future tomato varieties. More and more choices are becoming available to the consumer because of improved new tomato varieties. As a result of limited shelf space in supermarkets choice remains limited.

Click here to view the photo report

"The consumer is confused because of the great variety and difference in tomatoes. Differences are noted by consumers, but more clarity is required by them. Aspects of health are becoming more important and more information regarding healthy food and consequently regarding the various tomatoes is required" as per marketing director Massimo Enzo of Syngenta Vegetables.

Various speakers addressed the conference. Anneke Ammerlaan, the trend watcher,
reported, following the introduction of the chairman for the day Onno Franse of Royal Ahold, on the changes in consumption and expected changes in the near future. Professor Donald Mottram of Reading University explained the working of taste buds and how this should influence the improvement of new varieties.



Yield is of the utmost importance to growers, but it was mentioned that by improving new tomato varieties insufficient attention is given to taste. Taste therefore will be the most important aspect in the future. Growers must pay more attention to this aspect, as taste is the basis for yield" added Mart van Grinsven of Syngenta Seeds. Britt Burton-Freeman of the Illinois Institute of Technology presented a number of arguments in favour of the health promoting qualities of tomatoes. Taizo Sano reported on the development of production and consumption of tomatoes in Japan. Ian Puddephat was one of the speakers of Syngenta and reported on the shelf position of tomatoes based on their taste.

Click here to view the photo report

Publication date: 5/23/2008

respond to this article    print

Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here

 

<< back | www.freshplaza.com