wapa press release

HAMBURG 3-5 AUGUST 2016
25 April 2016
PROGNOSFRUIT 2016 – REGISTRATIONS OPEN!
The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) and COPA-COGECA are pleased to announce their cooperation with AMI, BVEO
and BOG for this year’s Prognosfruit Conference 2016. Registrations for the 2016 event are now open! The Prognosfruit
Conference is Europe’s leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, releasing the production forecast for the upcoming
season. This year is a jubilee edition as it will be the 40th edition of Prognosfruit. Information and registration are now posted
on the conference website: www.prognosfruit.eu
This year‘s conference will take place from 3-5 August in Hamburg, Germany. Dr. Christian Weseloh, CEO of the Germany’s Union
of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisations (BVEO), commented: “We are delighted to host the world-renowned congress in
apples and pears, Prognosfruit, in Germany this year. In Hamburg – the gateway to the world – we provide not only a professional
programme for all delegates, but also an interesting technical visit to the area of the Niederelbe, just outside the city Hamburg.
This area has become known as the ‘Altes Land’ (the old country), which is the largest closed fruit growing area in Germany”.
WAPA will release the apple and pear production forecast for 2016/2017 during the business conference on Thursday 4 August.
The conference will also review some of the latest topical issues relevant for the apple and pear industry. Besides the forecast
and market trends for the fresh and processed sector, several topical industry and policy issues will be tackled including the
developments of club varieties in Europe. Mr Hans van Es, Chairman of the COPA-COGECA fruit and vegetables group,
commented: “Every year Prognosfruit is a very successful event with interesting speakers sharing their experiences regarding
apple and pear production in Europe.” Mr Van Es added: “Prognosfruit provides delegates with a good mix of solid content,
educational and social events, offering excellent networking opportunities prior to the opening of the new season.”
The conference brings together apples and pear growers, processors and traders from across Europe and beyond with an
attendance of around 250 participants. Philippe Binard, Secretary General of WAPA, confirmed: “Prognosfruit is a well
established event on the agenda of the European apple and pear production. For this jubilee edition, we are very pleased to come
to Hamburg and the Elbe region. Today, we are opening registration on the Prognosfruit website and given the great location and
programme, we expect a solid participation rate for Prognosfruit 2016.”
An event not to be missed! Join today the 250 apple and pear’s leaders and register online on www.prognosfruit.eu.
Registration is now open and an early booking fee is available for registration before 15 June.
**ENDS**
CONTACT: M. Philippe Binard / Ms Daphne van Doorn – WAPA – [email protected]
Ms Ursula Schockemöhle – Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH (AMI) - [email protected]
WAPA was founded in August 2001 with the objectives of providing a forum for discussion on matters of interest to the apple and pear business and initiating
recommendations to strengthen the sector. The current President of the Association is Mr. Daniel Sauvaitre of ANPP in France, while Mr. Todd Fryhover of Washington
Apple Commission in the USA is Vice-President. WAPA membership includes the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South Africa, the UK, Ukraine and the USA.
WORLD APPLE AND PEAR ASSOCIATION
Rue de Trèves 49-51 bte 8 ∙ 1040 Brussels ∙ Belgium ∙ Tel: +32 2 777 15 80 ∙ Fax: +32 2 777 15 81 ∙ e-mail: [email protected]
www.wapa-association.org