This new addition to the international trade fair calendar was announced during the 42nd edition of Macfrut, the international fruit and vegetable supply chain trade fair, in the presence of Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut, agronomist and sector expert Luciano Trentini, world-renowned asparagus expert Christian Befve, and Christine Pecastaingts, Director of Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
As the event organizers explained, this synergy is rooted in the complementary nature of the two sectors: many asparagus growers are also berry producers, and the same often applies to suppliers and commercial partners. As a result, the idea of organizing a single, high-impact international event that benefits stakeholders across both sectors.
The programme is a rich one, combining the expertise gained from five editions of International Asparagus Days with the debut edition of International Berries Days dedicated to soft fruits. The event kicks off on Tuesday, 7 October with a full day of technical visits: asparagus-related tours in the Gironde region (including Vignobles Bouillac and the Lebourg production site), and berry-focused visits in Lot-et-Garonne (nurseries such as St Armand, Fruits Rouges du Confluent, and the Aquisol production site).
On Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October, the event continues at Planasa in Bordeaux, which will host the exhibition. Alongside the exhibitor area, attendees can look forward to in-field demonstrations and sector-specific presentations, including: research on strawberries, the launch of new asparagus varieties, guided blueberry field tours, and asparagus replanting. A key highlight will be the workshop “Which innovations to improve grower performance (genetic and technical traits)?”, featuring insights into the latest technological and varietal developments.
The event concludes on Friday, 10 October with a tour dedicated to berries in the Dordogne area, including a visit to the Lanxade Interprofessional Technical Centre for Fruit and Vegetables, the Invenio experimental station, and the Teychennè family farm.
