XIII Iberian Symposium on Ripening and Postharvest confirms its scientific programme in Faro

The University of Algarve will host the XIII Iberian Symposium on Ripening and Postharvest from 1 to 3 June 2026, a scientific and technical meeting that will bring together researchers, professionals and companies involved in the conservation of fruit, vegetables, aromatic plants and flowers in Faro, Portugal.

The event will take place at the Penha Campus of the University of Algarve and is organised by the University of Algarve, the Portuguese Horticultural Association and the Portuguese Society of Plant Biology, in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences and the Spanish Society of Plant Biology.

This edition features a confirmed scientific programme structured around six thematic sessions addressing some of the main challenges currently facing the postharvest sector: ripening physiology, quality management in supply chains, control of diseases and physiological disorders, conservation technologies, sustainable packaging, consumer demands and the reduction of food losses and waste.

Six scientific sessions

The first day, on 1 June, will begin with the opening session, followed by the first scientific session, dedicated to the biology and physiology of ripening and postharvest. The invited speaker will be Manuel Jamilena Quesada, from CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, who will give the lecture "Discovering QTLs and genes involved in the postharvest quality of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)".

On 2 June, the programme will open with a session on innovation in the assessment and management of ripening and quality in supply chains, with José Blasco, from the IVIA Centre for Agroengineering, as invited speaker. His presentation will focus on the evolution of postharvest inspection towards intelligent models for the non-destructive assessment of fruit and vegetables.

The day will continue with a session dedicated to the management of postharvest diseases and physiological disorders, featuring Susana Carvalho, from GreenUPorto, University of Porto, as invited speaker. The programme will then address conservation technologies and sustainable packaging, with an invited lecture by Vitor Alves, from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia in Lisbon, on innovation in sustainable packaging for the reduction of postharvest losses.

Also on 2 June, a session will be devoted to consumer demands and emerging challenges in the fruit and vegetable sector, with Gemma Echeverria, from IRTA Fruitcentre, as invited speaker.

The final day, on 3 June, will focus on the minimisation of food losses and waste and the promotion of the circular economy. Ana Cristina Santos, from MED, University of Évora, will be the invited speaker with a lecture on the challenges involved in reducing losses and waste in fruit and vegetables.

Applied research for quality and conservation

Throughout the symposium, communications will address topics such as microbial biostimulants in tomato, treatments with high concentrations of CO₂ in berries, postharvest quality in citrus fruit, non-destructive inspection technologies, hydrocooling, hyperspectral imaging, edible coatings, Penicillium control, compostable active packaging, persimmon conservation and the use of agri-food by-products.

The programme will also include poster sessions, oral communications, a meeting of the APH and SECH, a session dedicated to young researchers and the presentation of awarded posters before the closing session.

The participation of researchers, technology centres, universities and companies makes the symposium a meeting point for knowledge exchange between research and the productive sector, with special attention to solutions aimed at improving conservation, extending the shelf life of fresh products, reducing losses and moving towards more sustainable postharvest systems.

The registration deadline is 20 May 2026. Full papers for publication in the proceedings may be submitted until 30 June 2026.

More information and registration