A strawberry’s journey: leadership in a digital and sustainable future

A strawberry’s journey never ends, but how can we make it even more sustainable in a digital era? The fruit sells itself by connecting the dots with innovative research, marketing and digital transformation.

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. The programme comprises two days of lectures by speakers, presentations and panel discussions at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre, as well as one day of fieldtrips and the International Mechanisation and Demonstration Strawberry Fair organised by the Research Centre Hoogstraten on Saturday.

17-20 September 2025
Antwerp-Belgium

about isc


our sponsors
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21/09/2022,
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Registrations are closed. We are looking forward to seeing you at the congress!

Organised by Coöperatie hoogstraten

International Strawberry Congress

This fourth International Strawberry Congress offers the unique 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. The programme comprises two days of lectures by speakers, presentations and panel discussions, as well as
one day of fieldtrips on Friday and the International Mechanisation and Demonstration Strawberry Fair organised by the Research Centre Hoogstraten on
Saturday. You can select the topics of your interest by choosing from different themes in various parallel sessions.

About ISC

The International Strawberry Congress is an ideal opportunity to meet top business leaders in the international market today. They will share their insights and opinions with you during this four-day Congress. Activities in the charming centre of Antwerp will provide pleasant variation.

21/09 & 22/09
2 days of lecture at the FMCCA

23/09
Fieldtrips

24/09
International Mechanisation & Demonstration Strawberry Fair at Research Centre Hoogstraten

Gaston Opdekamp
MANAGING DIRECTOR, COÖPERATIE HOOGSTRATEN
Michael Barker
EDITOR, FRESH PRODUCE JOURNAL

early bird (until 01/07)

€515

standard registration

€720

Student registration

€335

Virtual only registration

€480

fieldtrip (23/09)

€105

congress dinner (22/09)

€130

Prices incl. 21% VAT

The registration fee includes admission to all sessions, a copy of the congress proceedings, coffee breaks, lunches, and the International Mechanisation and Demonstration Strawberry Fair (congress dinner and fieldtrips excluded).

Tickets

Why attend?

  • unique combination of commercial strategy and scientific research
  • broaden your knowledge
  • to extend your network
  • learn more about the latest developments in the field of strawberries
Anja Stas
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, KMDA

Programme

Check out the full programme

The programme comprises two days of lectures by speakers, presentations and panel discussions, as well as one day of fieldtrips on Friday and the International Mechanisation and Demonstration Strawberry Fair organised by the Research Centre Hoogstraten on Saturday. You can select the topics of your interest by choosing from different themes in various parallel sessions.

Our sponsors

Previous edition of the ISC

"The International Strawberry Congress gives an excellent opportunity to meet with berry professionals, share ideas and discuss the future for this important crop. The best and the brightest from the worlds berry society will meet, learn, network and create new business opportunities. Great opportunities, both socially and business vice, for delegates to learn from presentations and panel discussions from leading experts in the field.”

Anita Sønsteby
Research professor at NIBIO
Gaston Opdekamp
MANAGING DIRECTOR, COÖPERATIE HOOGSTRATEN
Michael Barker
EDITOR, FRESH PRODUCE JOURNAL

"The International Strawberry Congress is an excellent opportunity for scientists to meet again, and to exchange and discuss newest insights of strawberry research. As a scientist I think it is fantastic to also get a taste of strawberry commercialization topics at this conference, and to be able to expand my network in the strawberry industry. After a long break of international meetings, I’m looking forward to catch up with all strawberry professionals in Antwerp again!"

Tom Van Delm
Director Research Centre Hoogstraten
Anja Stas
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, KMDA

"The International Strawberry Congress is an excellent forum for debate and learning about the future of such an important crop. It features leading speakers delivering high-quality presentations, as well as insightful panel discussions and the opportunity for delegates to have their say. Both socially and from a business point of view, it’s a great event for anyone involved in the global strawberry trade."

Michael Barker
Fresh produce industry journalist and speaker

Previous edition of the ISC

"The International Strawberry Congress gives an excellent opportunity to meet with berry professionals, share ideas and discuss the future for this important crop. The best and the brightest from the worlds berry society will meet, learn, network and create new business opportunities. Great opportunities, both socially and business vice, for delegates to learn from presentations and panel discussions from leading experts in the field.”

Anita Sønsteby
Research professor at NIBIO

“I have marked the dates already in my agenda. The best platform in the world to learn about strawberries. Where science meets business and the other way around. A golden combo”

Jan Engelen
Sales Manager Bakker Belgium NV

"The International Strawberry Congress is an excellent forum for debate and learning about the future of such an important crop. It features leading speakers delivering high-quality presentations, as well as insightful panel discussions and the opportunity for delegates to have their say. Both socially and from a business point of view, it’s a great event for anyone involved in the global strawberry trade."

Michael Barker
Fresh produce industry journalist and speaker

“Strawberry industry is important in all EU countries, adopting different cultivation systems depending to the climatic conditions and type of agricultural technologies available. Coöperatie Hoogstraten represent the most advanced model for strawberry industry in center of EU and now spreading in different part of the world. The previous editions or the Strawberry symposium organized by Coöperatie Hoogstraten have been of high impact to bridge a gap between the strawberry academic and the industrial aspects on an international range: from research to production, from the market to the consumer.I am sure that the Strawberry Congress they are planning for September 2022 will still be a great example of scientific and technical interaction for the strawberry world, particularly awaited after the long period of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Bruno Mezzetti
Full professor at Marche Polytechnic University Ancona

"The International Strawberry Congress is an excellent opportunity for scientists to meet again, and to exchange and discuss newest insights of strawberry research. As a scientist I think it is fantastic to also get a taste of strawberry commercialization topics at this conference, and to be able to expand my network in the strawberry industry. After a long break of international meetings, I’m looking forward to catch up with all strawberry professionals in Antwerp again!"

Tom Van Delm
Director Research Centre Hoogstraten

“The previous Congresses offered an exciting program with strawberry experts from around the globe in the historic city of Antwerp.  The day-long tour of strawberry operation in the Netherlands and Belgium provided a glimpse of modern glasshouse fruit and transplant production technology.  This is an excellent venue to share and exchange knowledge and ideas with your old colleagues and students from around the world interested in advancing the science and cultivation of the strawberry and delivering high quality and flavorful berries to consumers.  I encourage all in the strawberry community to attend the Congress in 2022!”

Fumiomi Takeda
PhD, USDA-ARS Research Horticulturist (retired)

Previous edition of the ISC

Last years programme