Berry Area 2026 previews its programme with the first confirmed speakers

One month before the event, Berry Area 2026 has revealed the first elements of its programme and confirmed several of the speakers who will take part in this specialised meeting for the berry sector, to be held in Rimini from 21 to 23 April as part of Macfrut 2026.

The event is organised by NCX Drahorad in collaboration with Macfrut and the Polytechnic University of Marche, and is presented as a meeting point for professionals across the global berry supply chain interested in technical, commercial and innovation-related topics.

First confirmed speakers

Among the first names announced is Mario Steta, President of IBO, together with other international experts such as Eva Vanmarcke, from Hoogstraten; Qilong Zeng, from the Agriculture Academy of Nanjing; and Marco Butera, from Betterberries.

The organisers have released these first names ahead of the full programme, which is expected to be published two weeks before the fair.

Five thematic sessions

According to the organisers, the Berry Area 2026 programme will be structured around five main sessions:

• a technical session
• product-focused sessions on blueberries and strawberries
• market insights
• research
• varietal innovation

With this structure, the event aims to bring together content of interest for different profiles across the sector, from production and technical management to commercialisation and varietal development.

An area with international reach

Berry Area will also include an exhibition area featuring 30 partner companies from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, India, Portugal, the United States, Georgia and Italy, reinforcing the international dimension of this initiative within Macfrut.

The organisers also plan networking activities alongside the technical programme, in a format designed to encourage exchange between companies, specialists and professionals from across the berry sector.

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