Interpoma 2026 will bring the international apple industry together in Bolzano, Italy, from 25 to 27 November, with a programme focused on technological innovation, precision spraying and the challenges facing modern fruit production.
The 14th edition of the trade fair will combine its exhibition area with the Interpoma Congress, Interpoma Award, The Orchard of the Future and technical tours, offering growers and industry professionals opportunities to explore the latest developments in orchard management.
A particular focus this year will be placed on spraying and application technologies, including precision equipment, sensors, drones and solutions designed to improve resource efficiency and sustainability.
“At Interpoma, innovation is something you can see and touch first-hand,” says Anna Crosignani, Brand Manager at Interpoma, highlighting the event’s role in connecting researchers, businesses and growers.
The Orchard of the Future showcases new technologies
One of the main attractions will be The Orchard of the Future, a dedicated exhibition area in the FieraMesse H1 Eventspace where visitors can explore technologies expected to transform apple production.
The space will feature innovations ranging from agricultural drones and precision spraying equipment to sensor-based systems and UV-C light technologies.
These solutions reflect the growing importance of digitalisation, automation and more targeted crop protection in orchard management.
Visitors will also be able to participate in the Visitors’ Choice Award, voting on the opening day for the most interesting application technologies showcased in the area.
Innovation will also take centre stage at the Interpoma Award 2026, now in its third edition and dedicated this year to spraying technologies.
An international jury chaired by Professor Massimo Tagliavini of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano will select the most promising solutions for efficient, precise and sustainable apple production. The winner will be announced on 26 November.
Interpoma Congress explores spraying and Latin American markets
The Interpoma Congress, coordinated by Walter Guerra of the Laimburg Research Centre, will take place on 26 and 27 November, with two morning sessions addressing technological developments and international market opportunities.
The first session, “New Approaches in Spraying Technology: Efficiency Meets Sustainability”, will examine advances in plant protection application systems, precision spraying, sensors and the use of drones.
On Friday, the programme will turn to Latin America, with a session entitled “Regional Opportunities and Global Challenges: Latin America in Focus”.
Brazil, Chile and Mexico will be central to discussions about production, competitiveness, market developments and the opportunities facing the apple industry in these countries.
Women in the apple industry take centre stage
Interpoma 2026 will also highlight the contribution of women throughout the apple supply chain through the event “Women in the Apple Sector: Stories of Female Leadership in Agriculture”, scheduled for 25 November at 16:00.
Held in connection with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 and under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the session will explore women’s experiences in production, cooperatives, industry organisations, marketing and agricultural communication.
The initiative is jointly organised by the Italian Women’s Fresh Produce Association, the South Tyrol Apple Consortium and the Laimburg Research Centre.
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Moderated by agricultural journalist Cristiano Spadoni, the event will feature short personal presentations in which participants share their professional experiences through a keyword and a symbolic object.
The aim is to give greater visibility to female leadership and recognise women’s contribution to the development of the international apple industry.
Technical tours connect research with commercial production
The Interpoma Tours will return with ten guided visits conducted in English over the three days of the exhibition.
Participants will have the opportunity to visit local fruit-growing businesses, research centres and cooperatives to see how new technologies and production methods are being implemented.
The programme will cover digitalisation, organic production, varietal trials, spraying systems, resource management and innovative apple storage solutions.
These visits are designed to complement the conference programme by demonstrating how research and innovation are being translated into practical applications.
World Apple Day and international industry cooperation
The fair will also mark the return of World Apple Day on 24 November, the day before the exhibition opens.
Established in 2022 through a partnership between Interpoma and the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), the initiative celebrates the importance of apples within the international fresh produce industry.
Interpoma will also strengthen its connections with other major industry events. A Fruit Logistica 2027 press conference is scheduled for Thursday, 26 November, at 14:30 in Fiera Bolzano’s Startbase room.
Digital communication brings apple growing to new audiences
The 2026 edition will expand its digital communication activities with the participation of three agricultural content creators.
Matteo Fiocco (@matt_thefarmer) will share his perspective on everyday farming practices and sustainability, while Federico Valgoi (@valzioo) will offer insights into running a family apple and cherry farm in Trentino.
They will be joined by Kait Thornton (@applegirlkait), a fourth-generation fruit grower from Washington State, who focuses on apple production, agricultural innovation and the relationship between growers and consumers.
Meanwhile, the official ipoma magazine will return for its fourth edition in an exclusively digital format. Coordinated by consultant Gerhard Dichgans, the publication will explore developments, innovations and key figures shaping the global apple industry.
With its combination of technical innovation, international market analysis and knowledge exchange, Interpoma 2026 aims to provide apple growers and industry professionals with practical insights into the future of orchard management.
Interpoma 2026: 25–27 November, Fiera Bolzano, Italy.
Further information: www.interpoma.com
