Seminar
On the whole, 2015 saw a 3 percent fall in the average vegetable consumption of Belgians, compared against 2014, the VLAM (Flanders Agricultural Marketing Board) announced earlier this year. Belgium is no exception in this respect. Across Europe too, the figures over the past 5 years point to a slight fall in vegetable consumption. The biggest faller in the top 10 was leek (-12%). The vegetable’s popularity seems to be declining for some reason. Obviously this demands action. Who are the product’s consumers and what kind of expectations do they have of the product? What can we do to restore consumers’ liking for leeks? The seminar will deliver insights in market events and shed light on trends in sales. Various speakers from different areas of expertise will provide food for thought for the future. At the seminar, on behalf of VLAM Luc Van Bellegem will paint a picture of consumers and their buying behaviour when it comes to fruit and vegetables, and leeks in particular, and explain how promotional efforts can be geared in response to these findings. Next, Ghent University Department of Agricultural Economics professor Xavier Gellynck will delve into the market context. Finally, we will have Jan Prinsen representing the Belgian Fresh Food Institute, who will put forward his views on the sale of leeks and the importance of appealing product presentation.
Fair
At the fair, companies get the opportunity to present themselves, with plenty of scope for communication and the exchange of know-how. Different companies involved in the various phases of the growing process (seed houses, nurseries, crop protection, manuring, farm machinery construction, etc.) will be present. The fair will also feature the topic of ‘differentiation’, with an exhibition of machinery for the bundling of leeks, …
Trial visits
To comply with the demand for information, the PCG runs a lot of leek research projects. Alongside recurrent topics such as cultivar selection, crop protection and nutrient and fertiliser management, this edition will also focus attention on product differentiation. Slender leeks, fat leeks, tall or short stems, trimmed leeks, organic leeks, etc. will be on display, side by side with the leek offering seen in supermarkets, in a bid to get growers to consider the opportunities open to them.
Demonstrations
The guided demonstrations will give specific attention to spraying techniques and IPM. Choosing the right nozzle, the appropriate spray pressure, the optimum amount of spray product, all of these aspects are important in treating vegetables. These demonstrations will highlight the potential of adopting the right spraying techniques aimed at ensuring efficient as well as eco-friendly spraying. The demonstrations will also feature innovations in the area of spraying techniques.
Programme of events – practical details
From 10.30am to 01.00pm, visitors can go on a variety of trial visits and attend various demonstrations. The seminar with the guest speakers is scheduled to take place from 01.15pm to 02.15pm. After the seminar, it is back to trial visits and demonstrations, from 02.30pm to 05.30pm. Throughout the day, visitors can browse around at the fair, where a wide number of companies operating in the leek industry are set to present themselves. There will be simultaneous interpretation into English at the seminar. No prior registration required. Free admission.
Programme of events Monday 10 October
The day after this International Leek Practical Day, we are staging an activity in association with REO Veiling (fruit and vegetable auction company), aimed at leek purchasing officers, who will be invited to come and see and discuss the wide range of possibilities leeks have to offer.
