The Interpera 2025 International Pear Congress is scheduled to take place on 25 and 26 June in Hasselt, Belgium. The event will be held at the Corda Campus and is co-organised by AREFLH (Assembly of European Horticultural Regions) and VBT (Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives). Interpera is an annual gathering of professionals from across the international pear sector, providing a platform to address key issues and share updates from the industry.
The programme will begin on 25 June with two strategic round tables focused on the previous pear season in the main European producing countries: France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. This will be followed by a session presenting harvest forecasts for the upcoming season in these countries.
In the afternoon, a series of expert presentations will address various challenges and developments in the sector. Topics will include the current state of pear marketing from the perspective of BelOrta, insights from the Eufrin working group on digital orchards, and an overview of trends in pear consumption both within Europe and globally.
Participants will then be able to attend one of two breakout sessions for more in-depth discussion. One session will focus on post-harvest research and the use of image analysis technologies to improve fruit quality and preservation. The other will address technical matters such as precision management at tree level, pest control strategies for stink bugs, modelling of pear sucker development to guide interventions, and the use of DCM PEA-02®, a biocontrol product targeting fire blight.
The second day of the congress, 26 June, will be dedicated to technical field visits. Attendees will visit Belgian orchards to observe farming practices and current innovations firsthand, with the goal of encouraging exchange of knowledge and practical insight.
According to Luc Vanoirbeek, Secretary General of VBT, the congress aims to offer a space for reflection on the past season and expectations for the coming one. AREFLH Vice-President Lisa Martini also noted the relevance of the event for professionals involved in pear production and marketing. Since its launch in 2008, Interpera has served as a forum for dialogue among international actors in the pear industry.
For more information:
Pauline Panegos
AREFLH
Tel: +33 (0)7 71 44 53 03
Email: [email protected]
www.areflh.org