Building on the success of the first two years, the International Asparagus Day (IAD), to be held in Angers from October 29th to 30th at the Parc des Expositions this year, will bring together around 100 exhibitors for this 2019 edition; more than 2000 visitors from 30 different countries will be expected.
Christian Befve, a world asparagus expert, unveils the main theme of this third edition of the IAD: "Biocontrol, the use of micro-organisms and robotics are all topics that will be very prominent. Producing in more natural ways to satisfy the consumer and reduce the burden on the producer will be the main focus of this new edition which I invite you to come and discover".
Asparagus sector: an industry that has undergone major changes in recent years
"Before 2010, the sector has expanded as new producing countries such as Peru and China entered the market. In 10 years, production has increased from 200,000 ha to 300,000 ha. This strong growth has led to a crisis tied to overproduction. Sales prices dropped and cultivated areas fell to 210,000 ha. Today we have reached 260,000 ha under cultivation and we know that the equilibrium point for the sector is 280,000 ha. Concerning consumption trends, there too, recent years have seen some changes that are in line with the overall trends in food products: more proximity, more freshness, a dynamic of relocation. This is reflected, among other things, in a strong emphasis on quality features. France is a driving force on this issue and varietal innovation partly makes it possible to meet these demands," explains Christian Befve.
The challenges for the asparagus sector
"Labour and mechanization issues are the major challenges in the asparagus sector for all countries. Indeed, in a field where labour is scarce, at a high cost and with a high burden of tasks, mechanisation is a key factor in making working conditions more flexible and reducing production costs. Although robotics are still not cost-effective for farms, research and development are moving in the right direction and will make it possible in the coming years to provide a tool to ensure the sustainability of farms, as well as the agricultural sector as a whole. Finally, asparagus is a rare product, with a short seasonality and a high price, which makes it a product with a strong added value. In addition, there is fierce competition between the various producing countries. The issue here is communication between the producing countries but also around the product with the need to promote its expertise to the consumer".
The objective of the IADs
" The purpose of the International Asparagus Days is to bring together all the global knowledge that exists to serve the asparagus industry. It is also and above all a time of exchange that allows the various stakeholders to get to know each other better. It also creates a lasting link in order to work collaboratively for a more balanced sector and to avoid the production disruptions we have encountered in the past", explains Christian Befve.
On the program:
The International Asparagus Days will be a celebration of diversity, with a main event at the Parc des Expositions d'Angers, which will benefit from all the expertise of the SIVAL and MACFRUT. It will bring together stakeholders from the sector, conferences around experts and indoor demonstrations for two days. Another part will be dedicated to field visits near Angers and Bordeaux, on specific themes, at the heart of companies renowned for their production techniques and their ability to innovate.
- Tuesday, October 29th
Conferences:
● 9h45 - 10h30 - The system approach as applied to asparagus production, or how to reconcile performance and naturality of treatments? - Thierry Picaud - Founding President of Medinbio
● 10h45 - 11h30 - Asparagus consumption in France: current situation and future prospects - Céline Genty - Director of Asperges de France
● 11h45 - 12h30 - Night harvest of white or green asparagus: pros and cons - Luis San Jose
Business presentations:
● 14h - Huet 2M - Laurent Chevalier
● 15h - Bagioni - Aurenzo Bagioni
● 16h - ICL
● 17h - Angiers - Fréderic Angiers
- Wednesday, October 30th
Conferences:
● 10h - 12h - What kind of production for the asparagus sector? Inventory and round table discussion on conventional, organic, biodynamic, zero pesticide residues, High Environmental Value - Alfredo Alvarez - Hortina / Mexican conventional-organic producer, biodynamic - Gilles Bertrandias, President of the Collectif Nouveaux Champs - Frédéric Poupard - President of the French, Belgian, Swiss and Malagasy organic asparagus producers of Langevine - Régis Chevallier - HVE certified producer (SCEA des Sables), Member of the Bureau of the Association for the Development of the HVE and Director of the FMN (Fédération des Maraichers Nantais).
Business presentations:
● 14h - Fleuron d’Anjou - Laurent Chevalier
● 15h - Planasa - Aurenzo Bagioni
● 16h - Hermeler - Thomas Hermeler
For more information:
L’Agence Vache
Anaelle Marie
Tel. : +33 (0) 6 83 37 21 11
Email: anaelle.marie@agencefls.fr
www.asparagusdays.com