Four locations: Bertinoro, Rimini, Vignola and Cesena

Piraccini: ‘Cherries will be the symbol of Macfrut 2022 in May’

 

Rimini (8 September 2021) – Macfrut 2022 will be the world capital of cherries with the International Cherry Symposium, to be held from 2 to 6 May. This event of international standing was previewed this morning on the second day of Macfrut (Wednesday 8 September) at the Rimini Expo Centre, with the participation of Alessio Mammi, Councillor for Agriculture of the Emilia-Romagna region.

Scheduled for next year, the Symposium will consist of several events: a two-day advanced training session held at the University Residential Centre of Bertinoro (2-3 May); a global Symposium on key issues relating to the cherry tree (global market, sustainability, variety innovation and covering systems), which will be hosted by Macfrut in Rimini (4 May); an event focusing on market trends with key players in the sector (5 May), as well as guided visits to leading companies in the sector who will be attending Macfrut (5 May); and, to conclude, a tour of the main cherry tree growers to get a firsthand look at innovative products (6 May).

 

The session was opened by Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut, who announced a great novelty: cherries will be the symbol of Macfrut 2022. ‘I believe that cherries truly embody the culture of liberation.’ Renzo Piraccini said. ‘This is why they will be the symbol of Macfrut 2022, which will be back in May. One of the ways forward is to identify high-value crops such as the cherry tree. We at Cesena Fiera will finance three scholarships for three young people worth a total of €50,000.’

Stefano Lugli, from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, provided an overview of the Symposium: ‘It will consist of several stages and 10 seminars, during which topics such as globalisation, technological innovation and post-harvesting will be discussed.’

The preview was also attended by the upcoming Rector of the University of Bologna, Giovanni Molari, who said: ‘I am very pleased to be here today, it is an opportunity to show that collaborative activities are our pride and joy, as well as an opportunity for growth. In fact, the time has come to plan such activities and to support them, not only financially but also in other ways.’

Alessio Mammi, Regional Councillor for Agriculture of the Emilia-Romagna region, spoke about the important synergy that has been achieved and about the sector: ‘I would like to point out that many universities are present, which are collaborating with the aim to “do great things together”. These last four words embody the successful approach of a quality-conscious region such as Emilia-Romagna, where trade fairs, universities and institutions work closely together. In fact, it is no coincidence that the cherry tree symposium will be held in this region, where cherries are widely grown. The event is part of the strategy adopted by the Emilia-Romagna Regional Government to secure the future of fruit growing, which is a strategic sector because of its environmental, economic and social value. It is essential to address the urgent needs of this increasingly strategic sector by making investments to safeguard it so that we can pave the way for future investments in research and innovation.’

Davide Neri, from the Marche Polytechnic University, then spoke about the first two days in Bertinoro: ‘The advanced training session is a way of conveying the desire to change the way we tackle problems and the many social, economic and environmental changes we are facing.’

 

Below are the details of the International Cherry Symposium.

 

ADVANCED TRAINING SESSION

‘Sustainable orchard management in a changing environment’

Bertinoro, 2-3 May 2022

The Advanced Training Session on “Sustainable orchard management in a changing environment” will be held in the beautiful setting of Bertinoro, at the University Residential Centre. The fruit-growing industry, and the cherry industry in particular, is faced with huge challenges such as climatic, social and economic changes and all-pervasive globalisation. This means that consistently high yields of high-quality produce must be maintained and that orchard management must be able to integrate economic, environmental and social aspects. Knowledge of biotechnologies and varietal innovation, physiology of the cherry fruit (from field to table), foliage and roots, precision management, microclimate control, covering systems and breeding techniques, nutrition and irrigation, and how to use labour efficiently: these are all fundamental in modern planting for resilient and sustainable growing.

The residential sessions will take place over the course of two days and will be closely linked to Macfrut 2022 and the International Cherry Symposium 2022. A total of 10 seminars are scheduled, focusing on the main topics related to sustainable orchard management and interactive activities for PhD students, professionals and lecturers. The programme will be managed and coordinated by the University of Bologna, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and the Marche Polytechnic University, with the participation of international speakers and cherry tree specialists. A total of 30 places will be available for PhD (or post-doctoral) students, as well as 30 places for professionals.

 

INTERNATIONAL CHERRY SYMPOSIUM

Rimini, 4 May 2022 – from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The world’s leading cherry tree experts will gather in Rimini to take part in the International Cherry Symposium 2022. To be held simultaneously with Macfrut 2022 in the conference room at the Rimini Expo Centre, the Symposium will host experts from the USA, Chile, Europe and Italy, who will address crucial issues in cherry tree growing: from where the global market for cherry trees is heading to the economic sustainability of new cherry orchards, and from biotechnology applied to varietal innovation to cutting-edge breeding techniques, as well as key themes such as the precision management of cherry orchards, covering systems, plant protection and post-harvesting, also considering the very challenging circumstances we are currently facing.

Presentations will alternate with round table discussions, with a full day programme of events including detailed discussions and networking opportunities among leading experts in the field. The conference will be open to all players in the global cherry industry, with an attendance limit of 300 people. However, those who register will also be able to follow the conference online.

 

CHERRY GLOBAL PLAYERS

Rimini, 5 May 2022 – from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Where should cherry trees be planted? Whichever direction you look, north to south or east to west, cherries are grown just about anywhere, from Norway to Australia, from Japan to Canada. Today, fresh produce is available globally nearly all year round. The latest available data show that six countries lead the ranking of the largest cherry producers: Turkey ranks first, followed by the USA. Two emerging countries, Chile and Uzbekistan, rank third and fourth, both showing remarkable growth in terms of yields and areas cultivated with cherry trees. In Europe, Spain and Italy are in the lead, with stable yields and cultivation areas, but with produce of the highest quality. At Macfrut 2022, key players in the industry will discuss the future prospects and market trends for cherries during a focus session dedicated to the world’s leading cherry producers.


GUIDED TOURS AT THE TRADE FAIR

Rimini, 5 May 2022 – from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The product and process innovations that have been introduced over the last few years in the cherry industry by researchers and the industry itself have been the key drivers behind the global boom in cherry growing. At Macfrut 2022, an élite group of professional experts will focus on four pivotal topics concerning innovations in cherry cultivation and marketing – varieties and rootstocks, multitasking covering systems, processing technologies, packaging – and will take Macfrut 2022 participants on several dedicated tours of the stands of the main companies that have invested in the cherry industry.


CHERRY TREE TOUR

Vignola and Cesena, 6 May 2022 – from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A firsthand look at the innovations introduced in the cherry industry. Two field visits to plant nurseries, farms and cherry processing plants.

Over the last few years, in Emilia-Romagna, the number of areas planted with cherry trees has remained stable at around 3,000 hectares, which account for 10% of national production. Produce of the highest quality is grown in two areas that are particularly suited to producing cherries. In addition to the Vignola area, other suitable production areas in Romagna are investing heavily in cherry tree growing. Two guided tours will be held, which will include visits to the two main cherry-growing areas in the region. A trip to the production area of the Vignola cherry, featuring state-of-the-art cultivation systems and high-quality, PGI-certified cherries. The second tour will take the guests of Macfrut 2022 to the hills around Cesena to find out more about modern planting systems that use organic or biodynamic production techniques. Always with a focus on guaranteed wholesome products of the finest quality.

 

Macfrut Press Office
PrimaPagina Cesena
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Tel. +39 3471567681 – +39 0547 24284