International Blueberry Organization announces new president

26/09/2016

Australian Peter McPherson will be challenged to lead this great industry, which grows every year, with greater varieties and producing countries. He takes the position after Chilean Andrés Armstrong, president of the Chilean Blueberry Committee.

During the International Blueberry Organization (IBO), held in Argentina and Uruguay this year, the new president who would take the reins of the group was announced. Peter McPherson, CEO of the Australian company Costa Group - one of Australia's largest integrated companies - will be the one to take up this challenge, noting that his choice was unexpected, but certainly an honor.

"I am very proud to represent the Australian Blueberry Growers Association and now the global blueberry industry. They say that I have a very high stake to follow after my good friend Andrés Armstrong, and we must keep the focus on delivering value to all our members " express.

In this way he will continue the work done by his predecessor, the president of the Committee of Blueberries of Chile, Andrés Armstrong. “I think renovation is very healthy for institutions and Peter has an impressive experience and knows this industry very well throughout the world. I'm sure it will be a great contribution ", said the Chilean.

Argentinean Blueberry Committee (ABC) chair Carlos Stabile will serve as treasurer, while British and Polish industry representative Stephen Taylor will continue as IBO secretary.

The conference involved talks at the Concordia Convention Center, as well as visits to fields in Concordia and Salto.

The challenges for the industry

"Taking into account the influence of Mother Nature in our business every day presents new challenges, and given the generic nature of the IBO we will continue to add value to all producers as the industry continues to grow. After all, that is what the IBO represents ", the newly elected president continued in his speech.

Armstrong, meanwhile, told Portalfrutícola.com that for him there are two central issues. "One that has to do with the growth of the supply and new productive areas that are completing some windows that until now have had supply, but with limited supply compared to the consumption potential".

"I think the enthusiasm that one can appreciate everywhere is very special. The blueberry is a fruit that generates enthusiasm not only for producers, especially consumers. It is a 'happy' fruit as described by Professor Hughes through studies they have done with consumers in the UK ", said Amstrong.

The other central theme was to address ways to maintain a blueberry differentiation, avoiding commoditization as a way to add more value to blueberry producers in the world.

As pointed out in several conversations, one of the concerns has been the working conditions in many fields producing blueberries, so the challenge was given to strengthen these areas in the business.

Another major issue is the increase in consumers around the world, especially in China and Europe. "The quality, taste and shelf life was also the subject of attention as consumer research clearly shows that to sustain the per capita consumption of the industry as a whole globally it must deliver 52 weeks of the year to consumer expectations", said McPherson.

He also added that the continued emergence of new growth regions, such as Morocco and China, were the center of attention. And it was emphasized in improvements in access to markets, in logistics, cold chain, improving the variety and post-harvest.

IBO in Argentina and Uruguay. Looking at China

Last year at the IBO in Coffs Harbor, Australia, the meeting had more than 300 participants. However, during this year's event held in Concordia, Argentina, and Salto, Uruguay, more than 400 people gathered. What was a success.

“Both the Argentina and Uruguay committees must be congratulated for everything, considering that the last few seasons have not been very kind to them. The presentations were of very high quality as was the hospitality ", said McPherson.

"The organization is growing, reflecting the global nature of blueberries" said Fall Creek Farm & Nursery President Dave Brazelton, adding that, "There was excellent attendance, I think 27 countries. As always, it was an excellent opportunity to establish contacts with the main actors ".

Regarding the situation of the host country, Argentina, Brazelton had good words for the producing country, "There are lessons to be learned from the solutions that Argentina and Uruguay are investing to overcome the logistical nightmare of the past plus a major revision with the replacement of the new ones", Dijo.

"They have excellent fields and restructured varieties, but they are going to feel pressure from Peru"added Brazelton.

Before the end of the conference, the new president of the IBO, Peter McPherson, said that the next meeting will be held in China, "It is thought that this will encourage great participation and value at a global level, for members and the industry, looking for innovations to move forward"He said.

Source: Fruit Portal