Coöperatie Hoogstraten is pleased to announce its 5th edition of the International Strawberry Congress, taking place on 17, 18 & 19 September 2025 at The Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre Antwerp, Belgium. This congress offers a combination of commercial strategy and scientific research. "With this congress, we aim to create a platform for networking and information exchange based on research, growing, and commercialisation of strawberries for the fresh market."
Congress theme 2025: Connecting the dots in a complex world of strawberries
"The programme includes a varied mix of speakers talking about scientific and trade-directed subjects. We have, like the last four times, consciously chosen for a mix of commerce and science." Jan Engelen, Manager of Sustainability, Innovation & Branding, says. "Both parties can still learn a lot from each other. Commercial people are often a little closer to their daily problems in practice. Problems they come into contact with are often much easier to solve than expected, but often not handed over to the scientific side. The aim is to arrange these relationships and to look for answers. The general focus of the congress is the digitalization."
Programme
The programme comprises two days of lectures by speakers, presentations, and panel discussions at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre Antwerp, as well as one day of field trip and the International Mechanisation and Demonstration Strawberry Fair organised by the Research Centre Hoogstraten on Saturday.
Collaboration with the International Strawberry Mechanisation and
Demonstration Fair 2025
In collaboration with the International Strawberry Congress, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten proudly organises the International Strawberry Mechanisation and Demonstration Fair 2025.
In 2025, the 13th edition of the International Strawberry Mechanisation and Demonstration Fair will take place. This highly anticipated event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Proefcentrum Hoogstraten. The fair offers an opportunity to explore the latest advancements in strawberry cultivation through live demonstrations in greenhouses and in the field. To bridge these two major events, on Friday, September 19, a series of excursions will be organised for both national and international visitors.
Beyond mechanisation 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 digitalisation 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.
Key information and registration
- Language: The official language of the event is English.
- Early Bird Discount: Register before 1 July 2025, and receive a €200 discount on the
registration fee. - Programme Updates: The full programme will be announced step by step from
March 2025 via the congress website and newsletter. - Call for Abstracts: Interested in presenting? Submit your oral or poster presentation
abstracts online at www.iscbelgium.com/call-for-abstracts before March 31, 2025. - Industry Support: Coöperatie Hoogstraten is proud to collaborate with leading
companies from the sector to make this congress a success.
For more information:
Eva Vanmarcke
Coöperatie Hoogstraten
Tel: +32 3 340 02 78
strawberrycongress@hoogstraten.eu
www.iscbelgium.com