What was it all about?

This investment supported the biennial Banana Industry Congress held in Melbourne over four days in June 2015.

A new format featured a more interactive program, a wholesale market tour and large retail tour, fewer speakers but more time for discussion, a partners’ program, and was the first Congress to be held in a capital city.

The presence of wholesale and retail fresh food markets was a major reason why Melbourne was chosen as the Congress location. The principle purpose of the Congress was to stimulate discussion and learning for delegates and it achieved these objectives.

A total of 458 delegates, sponsors and exhibitors attended the Congress, with the number of growers and total delegates both records in the recent history of the Banana Congress. The theme for Congress was ‘Change. Challenge. Opportunity.’ to reflect that the critical factor in the banana industry’s development is the ability of its people to assess and analyse the current and upcoming issues and events.

The theme was particularly relevant given the announcement on March 4, 2015 that Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4) had been detected in the banana industry’s major growing region of North Queensland.

TR4 is the most significant emergency plant pest of bananas world-wide, and the industry in North Queensland is changing as a result of the TR4 incursion.

The Congress enhanced understanding of Panama TR4, with a specific workshop held on the disease led by two world-renowned TR4 scientists. It also helped increased knowledge by growers and others in the supply chain of levy-funded R&D and marketing programs.