Macfrut 2021 to host the fourth edition of International Asparagus Day

The asparagus supply chain will be in the spotlight at MACFRUT (7-9 September 2021 in Rimini) during the fourth edition of the International Asparagus Days (IAD). This event, which will feature a series of conferences, field demonstrations and technical visits to companies, aims to be a “fair within a fair”, coordinated by Luciano Trentini and with technical and scientific support from Christian Befve, one of the world’s leading experts in the asparagus supply chain. Asparagus is an ancient crop, found in all continents, with 250,000 hectares grown worldwide. Macfrut wil be hosting the IAD for the first time, in a dedicated dynamic area where all aspects of the supply chain will be covered: from new varieties to nursery production, from preparing the land for planting to looking after asparagus beds, and from harvesting asparagus (white and green) to processing produce in an environmentally friendly way in order to guarantee high-quality products for end consumers. The event will also include two days of conferences and round tables (on 7-8 September) focusing on varietal issues in Italy and Europe as well as on the importance of field trials when it comes to choosing the most suitable cultivars. These aspects will be addressed also in relation to planting methods and considering the climate changes that have taken place in recent years. Other topics will include the relationship between production and the market, consumer preference for organic and biodynamic produce, integrated production, and marketed zero residue asparagus. The last day (9 September), instead, will be dedicated to technical field visits, during which visitors will have the chance to visit and learn all about asparagus farms, where asparagus are grown using different techniques. Luciano Trentini explains: ‘This year’s edition, which will allow asparagus industry professionals from both Italy and abroad to get together both in person and online, will be a major opportunity to draw attention back to the production, harvesting and marketing aspects of this crop. Innovation will be a central theme since innovations may be required in these post-pandemic times, and particularly in this age of climate change.’