This year over 90 exhibitors will be at the show. Well known names such as ; Hutchinsons, Bayer crop science, Landseer, JR Breach, FP Matthews and OnePay all have a presence. The National Fruit Show’s Education programme, which is part-funded by some of the profits from the show, is also there to show its work with local schools to a much wider audience. Sam Smith, the Education programme leader, will be on hand to demonstrate how the work she and her team does is so important in investing in the next generation of fruit industry experts.
The show’s sponsors, N.P Seymour; Avalon Produce Ltd and Agrovista have this year been joined by a new supporter, UKCA Ltd and Isolcell. UKCA Ltd is the well- known UK fruit storage business and is the distribution partner for the global Isolcell. Together they are supporting the National Fruit Show and will be on hand to talk to their industry peers.
The show dinner is a highlight of the show and this year’s event will be held on Wednesday 23rd October, following the first full day of the show. This is a truly celebratory ‘end of harvest’ party but which also serves as a business networking event. It strikes all the right balances and includes the famous auction of promises which raises funds for the show’s Education programme. The eagerly anticipated Bonanza Prize will also be awarded that evening which helps the evening go with a swing.
Also new to the show this year, the Institute of Directors is taking a stand and is keen to talk to farmers and growers. This marks a shift in perceptions away from the low skilled, low paid towards a modernised, highly technical and competitive environment which in turn, is attracting attention from business groups not traditionally associated with the sector. It will certainly be an interesting show once again celebrating and promoting the people and promise of the British top fruit sector.
