Cranfield University in Bedford, in partnership with the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), will host the first international postharvest conference to take place in the United Kingdom for nearly 25 years.

The international event will be held from 2- 5 September 2013 and will bring together scientists, policy makers and industrial experts from around the world to discuss the very latest issues and advancements in fresh produce quality and the global food supply chain management.

With the world's population predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050, food production needs to increase. However, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimate that roughly one third of food produced worldwide for human consumption is lost or wasted. This conference will address how we can sustainably grow more high quality fruit and vegetables, and how fresh produce wastage can be reduced throughout the global food chain. It will also discuss how we can better maintain the quality and health-promoting properties of fresh produce to meet consumer demand and reduce diet-related diseases.

Cranfield University Professor Leon Terry, who is involved with the symposium, said, "We are delighted to be hosting such a significant conference. It will bring together top academics, industrialists and students from around the world, helping to provide real-world solutions to the fresh produce supply chain."