FRESHTech Stage

About FRESHTech Stage

The FRESHTech Stage is the content hub of FRESHTech, bringing together industry leaders, technology experts and innovators for two days of insights, real-world cases and discussion. Across six key technology areas, speakers will explore the technologies reshaping how fresh produce is grown, packed, moved, monitored and traded — from smart agriculture and automation to AI, cold chain, traceability and sustainability.

Join the conversation, discover new solutions and hear directly from the people driving innovation across the fresh produce value chain.

Explore FRESHTech

FRESHTech Stage Agenda

DAY 1— From Field to Port

2 Sep, 2026

10:00–10:15

Welcome address from Asia Fruit Logistica Official Technology Partner
Noureldin Abdrabbo, Unitec

10:15-12:00 Smart Agriculture for Asia

10:15-10:30

Breeding innovations that empower the fresh produce industry
Zhongkui Sun, Rijk Zwaan

10:30-10:45

The Springwoods approach: data-driven site selection and digital operations in high-tech greenhouse
Lion Lai, Dali Springwoods

10:45-11:00

Drone-enabled detection: precision agriculture meets biotech
William Leonard, TMSX

11:15-11:30

From access to impact: scaling digital farming in Asia
Gal Yarden, Netafim

11:30-11:45

Predicting fruit quality during storage with in-field 3D plant data
Dr. Manuela Zude-Sasse, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB)

11:45-12:00

AI in the bin: smartphone imagery for next-gen quality assessment
Benjamin Sharpe, Aerobotics

13:00-14:30 Packhouse of the Future

13:00-13:15

How is AI rewiring the fresh produce industry?
Noureldin Abdrabbo, Unitec

13:15-13:30

Scaling compostable packaging: A 20-year journey from ideation to commercialisation
Duncan Jones, Sinclair

13:30-13:45

Automatic stem remover: meeting industry demands
Ming Kong, Shandong UNITY Robotics

13:45-14:00

From waste stream to valuable resource: advanced filtration with MicronFilter XL
Rod Gardner, Wyma Solutions

14:00-14:15

TOMRA 5S: AI-powered blueberry grading for best result
Andrew Saliba, TOMRA Food

14:30-15:30 The Freshness Equation

14:30-14:45

Learning from nature: biomimicry as a blueprint for cutting food waste
Moody Soliman, Ryp Labs

14:45-15:00

Unlocking longer journeys: innovation driving sustainable shelf life
Andy Mitchell, Agrosustain

15:00-15:15

The power of moderation: finding the sweet spot in ripening
Tristan Kaye, RYPEN

15:15-15:30

Postharvest innovation for delicate berries in China
Jing Gao, Zhenghong Nova Technology (Shenzhen)

DAY 2 — From Port to Plate

3 Sep, 2026

10:00-10:15 Next-Wave Transit

10:00–10:15

Intelligent cold chains: freshness redefined
Matty van der Waal, ONE

10:15-10:30

Predicting delays and protecting shelf life: how AI gives exporters time to act
Shrawani Tetarbe, Portcast

10:45-11:00

Long-lasting freshness at 35°C: How AI dynamic MA tech is reshaping the supply chain
Alan Wu, Frectro

11:00-11:15

Seeing the unseeable: IoT and the rise of the end-to-end smart cold chain
Lissa Rose D'Arcy, Copeland

11:30-12:00 Retail Revolution

11:30-11:45

From guesswork to data: AI ripeness scanning to build next-gen avocado retail
Troy Agosti, ÉVO HASS

11:45-12:00

Humidity chain: effectively reducing food loss and waste at the consumer level
Cristian Parra, PacLife

13:00-14:00 Traceability in Focus - powered by GS1

13:00-13:15

One fruit, two countries, full traceability: How GS1 standards help track every fruit
Dr. Heidi Ho, GS1 Hong Kong

13:15-13:30

IGSO: building Hong Kong's two-way agricultural super-connector
Leo Cheung, International Growers Standards Organization (IGSO)

13:30-13:45

Air-Land Fresh Lane: global standards & cold-chain unlock new trade opportunities
Irene Lau, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)
Dr. Heidi Ho, GS1 Hong Kong

13:45-14:00

Linking traceability with brand trust: Australian cherries, citrus, blueberries, and more
Peter Carter, GS1 Australia

15:00-16:00 FRESHTech Innovation Award

15:00–16:00

FRESHTech Innovation Award

A platform within

The high-quality content programme is curated by Asiafruit Magazine, ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA’s Knowledge Partner, and it explores emerging trade and consumer trends in South-East Asia, China’s growing influence as a supplier to the region, and the future of Asia’s booming durian business.

Carlo Magni, global consumer insights director at consultancy firm Forward Insight & Strategy, unpacks the latest consumer trends across South-East Asia’s diverse and dynamic fresh produce markets. Magni provides invaluable analysis of shopper behaviour in fresh produce and explains how marketers can maximise the opportunities.

Andy Suh, senior director (Rest of Asia) at Driscoll’s, and Vincent Yeh, CEO of Xingyeyuan Group’s international business arm, Xingyeyuan Supply Chain, share their insights on China’s expanding role as a supplier to South-East Asia.

Suh explains how China’s rise as an exporter of high-quality berries and diversification beyond blueberries is helping to grow the berry category in key regional markets. Yeh also unpacks the premiumisation trend in Chinese production and the emergence of high-value products. He details how this is bringing renewed impetus to exports and driving brand development.

A session spotlighting Asia’s durian boom hears from John Cao, project manager for Joy Wing Mau’s flagship durian brand, Joyvio Durian, on key trends in the China market from a buyer’s perspective. Representatives of leading South-East Asian durian supplying countries also discuss the shifting trade landscape and market outlook. Speakers include Natakrit Eamskul, chief executive of major Thai exporter Platinum Fruits, and Dr Tan Sue Yee, chief executive of top Malaysian durian exporter Top Fruits.

Elsewhere on the programme, Edgar Alastrué, Thailand sales director for key Asia-based distributor Fresh Fruit-X, shares his first-hand insights into retail and trade trends in a session on Thailand’s fresh produce market landscape.

Bangkok meet-up continues with study tour on Day 2

On 26 June 2025, the meet-up continues with a study tour to CityFresh, one of the leading fresh fruit importers in Thailand. Founded in 1989, CityFresh supplies a wide range of imported fruits from around the world and manages directly to all major retailers in Thailand such as Makro, TOPS, Lotus’s and Big C supercenter, together with local premium supermarkets and wholesalers across the country. CityFresh also operates directly a popular fruit café and maintain an active social media presence with delivery services to end consumers

The tour offers an exceptional and invaluable opportunity to see the operational packaging and cold chain facilities. Attendees can interact directly with the management team of CityFresh and learn more on their dream and vision of building the community of fruit lovers.

Also in the tour is visit to TalaadThai, the largest wholesale market in ASEAN for the best understanding of emerging opportunities.

Updates: The Study Tour is fully booked. Interested parties can still register to be put on waiting list.

Remarks: applications will be reviewed with priorities to overseas registrants. Limited availability and on first-come-first-served basis. Please register your interest to join via the RSVP form. Successful registrants will receive separate confirmation email about this study tour.

Top reasons to join Bangkok Meet up

Gain more in-depth experience and connection with key ASEAN markets. Possibility to foster direct dialogue with key importers in the region and to explore various topics of interests in event :

Latest trends in ASEAN markets
Food safety and technology
China's supply role in South-East Asia
The durian boom

EVENT OVERVIEW

Benefits of sponsoring

Designed to help ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA exhibitors to gain first-hand and in-depth knowledge to Southeast Asian market
Perfect opportunity to raise your company and product profile
Maximize your brand exposure
Get in touch and face-to-face with your target audience
Reinforce relationships with your customers