Coöperatie Hoogstraten announced the 5th edition of the International Strawberry Congress, taking place on September 17, 18, and 19, 2025, at The Flanders Meeting & Convention Center in Antwerp, Belgium. This congress offers a combination of commercial strategy and scientific research.
Theme: Connecting the dots in the complex world of strawberries
"The program includes a varied mix of speakers discussing both scientific and trade-oriented subjects. As with the previous four editions, we have consciously chosen to combine commerce and science," says Jan Engelen, Manager of Sustainability, Innovation & Branding. "Both parties can still learn a lot from each other. People in commerce are often closer to the practical problems they face daily. These problems are often easier to solve than expected but are not always communicated to the scientific side. Our aim is to facilitate these relationships and seek answers. The general focus of the congress is digitalization."
Program
The program comprises two days of lectures, presentations, and panel discussions at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center in Antwerp, as well as one day dedicated to a field trip and the International Mechanization and Demonstration Strawberry Fair organized by the Research Center Hoogstraten on Saturday. Attendees can select topics of interest by choosing from different themes in various parallel sessions.
Previous edition in 2022
The 4th edition of the International Strawberry Congress, organized by Coöperatie Hoogstraten, took place in the heart of Antwerp on September 21, 22, and 23, 2022. More than 300 participants from 32 countries attended the three-day congress and a field trip. Michael Barker, a journalist in the fresh produce industry, served as the moderator, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Additionally, participants were able to visit the International Mechanization & Demonstration Strawberry Fair at the Research Center Hoogstraten on September 24.
"Coöperatie Hoogstraten looks back on a very successful 4th edition of the Strawberry Congress. We are very satisfied with the many positive reactions from the attendees. Once again, it is clear that the mix of science and sales is effective. Both areas need each other to achieve a successful strawberry business. Hoogstraten would like to thank everyone for their participation, both online and offline," said Jan Engelen, Manager of Sustainability, Innovation & Branding.
Collaborating with International Strawberry Mechanization and Demonstration Fair
In collaboration with the International Strawberry Congress, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten is organizing the International Strawberry Mechanization and Demonstration Fair 2025.
In 2025, the 13th edition of the International Strawberry Mechanization and Demonstration Fair will take place. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten. The fair offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in strawberry cultivation through live demonstrations in greenhouses and in the field.
To bridge these two major events, a series of excursions will be organized for both national and international visitors on Friday, September 19.
Beyond mechanization and demonstration, the event will also highlight key industry topics such as sustainable water management, integrated pest and disease control, and the increasing role of digitalization and automation in modern strawberry farming. Additionally, guided tours will be provided by the research team, offering valuable insights into ongoing research projects and trials.
For more information:
Coöperatie Hoogstraten
Loenhoutseweg 59
2320 Hoogstraten, Belgium
+32 33 40 02 11
info@hoogstraten.eu
www.hoogstraten.eu