Fruit Focus at East Malling

PUBLISHED: 19:26 11 July 2014 | UPDATED: 20:04 11 July 2014

Sarah Sturt

KEN JUL 14 Gourmet Life

Archant

A comprehensive top-fruit programme is promised at Fruit Focus 2014, which returns to East Malling Research Centre on 23 July.

Exhibitors will cover all aspects of technology, agronomy, machinery and business information, and principal sponsor Mack, the specialist fruit supplier to multiple retailers, will highlight its strawberry LED lighting project and offer tastings of established and trial varieties of berries and stone fruit.

The Fruit Focus Forums, sponsored by NFU, will include sessions on protecting crops and pollinators and seasonal labour, while the product technical manager for Sainsbury’s will discuss the retailer’s growers and its vision for UK fruit.

Fruit Focus has also teamed up with the United Kingdom Vineyards Association to offer technical workshops in the demonstration vineyard. The sessions on summer pruning and canopy management, disease monitoring and economic viability are designed to help new growers get the best from their vines.

In the live Demonstration Arena, visitors can see and hear about some of the latest kit being put through its paces, from specialist fruit tractors to the latest top and soft fruit sprayers.

• Fruit Focus takes place on 23 July 2014 at East Malling ME19 6BJ, 9am-5pm, tickets £10 (available online or on the day), www.fruitfocus.co.uk