The Vegetable Future Forum held at the Bayer CropScience Head Office in Monheim, Germany, attracted 200 international industry leaders, growers and value chain partners.

Ausveg CEO Richard Mulcahy participated in a panel session with three other leading growers to discuss current trends, challenges and innovations in the vegetable food value chain sector.

“The forum was a valuable experience for all attendees allowing for leading growers and value chain partners to connect,” Mr Mulcahy said.

“Many of the findings and insights gained at the forum will be applicable to the Australian vegetable growing industry and farmers.

“Bayer CropScience is one of the global leaders in their field, and this leadership was highlighted by both the high calibre of the forum’s attendees and the valuable findings presented.”

He said the one-day event aimed to stimulate fresh perspectives on topics ranging from the development of fast-growth markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America, the evolution of the biological market, and overall market trends and dynamics.

Speakers represented companies including Metro Group, Nestlé, Koppert Biological Systems, and Rabobank.

Bayer CropScience Australia portfolio manager horticulture, Scott Ward, said the fruit and vegetable production sector was a strategic focus area for Bayer.

He said Bayer is developing tailored integrated pest management programs built around the selective insecticides Belt and Movento and the active release of beneficial insects, to assist the integration of crop protection products with the best available biological control systems.

“The forum provided a platform to connect with key decision makers in the industry to help drive forward innovation in delivering quality fruit and vegetable crops while ensuring sustainable, ongoing vegetable production,” Mr Ward said.