It is the best show I have ever been to”
Why are the International Asparagus and Berry Days so popular?
The 5th International Asparagus Day and the 1st International Berry Day were held last week in France, near Bordeaux. This joint event, initiated by Christian Befve and co-organized with Macfrut and Interco Nouvelle Aquitaine, brings together specialists from all over the world – researchers, nurserymen, growers, manufacturers, and marketers – to discuss the cultivation of asparagus and red berries.
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A counter-current format
From October 7th to 10th, 480 visitors had the opportunity to discover 7 asparagus, strawberry, blueberry, and other red fruit farms located in the Gironde, Dordogne, and Lot-et-Garonne regions, as well as the two research centers, CTIFL and Invenio. At the same time, designers of the machinery and equipment used for these crops presented their equipment in real-life conditions. The demonstration took place on the 8th and 9th of October inside a photovoltaic greenhouse belonging to the Planasa company. It brought together 104 exhibitors from all over Europe, and almost a thousand visitors of 29 different nationalities took part in these professional meetings. This original format is at odds with traditional events where artificial light reigns supreme. Here, the sun shining through the greenhouse illuminated the white partitions separating the stands, creating a simple yet elegant contrast with the black sand on which the equipment was displayed. This sober, natural setting was centered around the essentials: light, the land, and those who bring it to life.
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A growing number of visitors
The 30% increase in exhibitors and visitors compared to the first edition in 2013 bears witness to the growing success of the event. “This is not a traditional event; the emphasis is on technique. Visitors do not come to the show to see stand after stand, but to see demonstrations and crops grown in real conditions. The aim of the event is to bring together all the trade bodies working to develop the sector, in an international and friendly atmosphere,” explains Christian Befve.
This mission has paid off, according to some of the exhibitors. “It is the best show I have ever been to,” says a specialist in plastic film processing for agricultural use. “We are at the heart of an agricultural ecosystem, so the format could not be more relevant. The product is displayed under real conditions, with the variations in temperature and humidity associated with greenhouse cultivation. It is hard to beat that.”
Testing under real conditions
“This is our first show as exhibitors, and we are delighted to be here to talk to the producers. It is a very high-quality event, full of interesting exchanges. Visitors came to meet us to see a demonstration of the machine. We had an official 15-minute slot to present our asparagus harvester, and in the end, we gave demonstrations all day long. We can see that there is a lot of interest among professionals in these real-life situations,” says another exhibitor, who specializes in designing equipment for asparagus growers.
All in all, the event was unanimously praised for its quality and was designed by and for professionals to be as close as possible to the challenges facing the sector, and to move forward together to develop the asparagus and soft fruit sectors of tomorrow.
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Frontpage photo: © FreshPlaza Publication date: Tue 14 Oct 2025
