Colombia to host the 6th International Conference on Postharvest and Quality Management of Tropical Horticultural Products

Bogotá, Colombia, will host the 6th International Conference on Postharvest and Quality Management of Horticultural Products of Interest for Tropical Regions, a key event for the tropical horticulture sector. The meeting, organized under the auspices of the ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science), will focus on improving postharvest quality, promoting the sustainable use of tropical biodiversity and supporting the development of agro-industrial transformation processes.

The conference is organized by the Amazonian Institute of Scientific Research (SINCHI) in collaboration with the National University of Colombia, and coordinated by Dr. María Soledad Hernández and Ms. Luz Marina Mantilla.

Main topics

The conference program will address five key areas of interest:

• Tropical horticultural value chains
• Logistics and distribution
• Biodiversity and underutilized species
• Bioeconomy and agro-industrial transformation
• Circular economy applied to the tropical agrifood sector

These topics will explore critical challenges such as postharvest loss reduction, efficient resource use, valorization of native species and the development of innovative, sustainable products.

Call for abstracts extended to August 15

The abstract submission deadline has been extended to August 15, 2025, allowing more researchers, universities, technology centers and professionals to take part.

Participants are invited to submit papers related to postharvest quality, preservation, processing technologies, food transformation, sustainable packaging, food safety, traceability, circular economy and by-product valorization, among other relevant topics.

Academic sessions and technical visits

The event will feature plenary talks by international experts, oral and poster presentations and networking opportunities among professionals from tropical producing countries. It will also include technical visits to tropical production areas and research centers, showcasing postharvest technologies and sustainability initiatives implemented in Colombia.

Discussion panels are also planned, addressing regional challenges such as logistics, commercialization and the promotion of biodiversity-based agribusiness models.

A strategic forum for Latin America and beyond

The conference provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen international collaboration around tropical horticultural crops. In a context of climate change, growing market demands and the need for diversified production, the event aims to offer evidence-based solutions to improve competitiveness and sustainability in tropical regions across Latin America, Africa, Asia and beyond.

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