Top produce leaders are poised to tackle tariffs, marketing challenges and new developments in the signature full-day event for business executives.
NEW YORK – More than two dozen prominent leaders in fresh produce will discuss the state of imports, exports, logistics and seed development – as well as politics and tariffs – during next week’s Global Trade Symposium at the New York Produce Show and Conference.
Register to attend the Global Trade Symposium at the 2025 New York Produce Show here.
The annual gathering, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel, will feature six sessions devoted to the trade of fresh fruits and vegetables coming into and out of the United States and Canada.
The first three, including “Politics and Produce, A Global Discussion,” will cover the roller-coaster economic environment impacting the supply chain, as well as innovative ideas to ensure future growth for businesses.
“The procurement, movement and promotion of fresh produce by nature can be volatile, even in the best of economic climates,” says Ken Whitacre, CEO and President of the New York Produce Show and Produce Business magazine. “We are grateful to have such an astute group of speakers tackling critical issues head on and presenting strategic ways of solving them.”
The Symposium is the first of five major educational components of the 2025 show, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Cornell University Professor Miguel Gomez will kick off the day with an overview of the global market before the panel moderated by Tom Stenzel digs into the impact of politics and policy on produce. Key leaders whose interests span North, Central and South America – Jessie Capote (J&C Tropicals), Ron Lemaire (CPMA), John Pandol (Pandol Bros.), Chuck Zeutenhorst (FirstFruits Farms) and Fernando Cruz Morales (GCMA) – will discuss the ever-shifting landscape and provide a look at the future for fresh produce.
Continuing the theme, four panelists in the “Navigating Turbulence in Transportation and Logistics” session led by moderator Anthony Serafino (EXP Group), will discuss how to preserve and improve cold chain movement of produce amid the tough economic climate. Mike Laws (Laws Logistics), Jai Thakrar (Jalaram Fruit), Florent Philippot (Z Group USA) and Tony Martinez (Primo Trading Services/Pharr International Bridge) will discuss how companies can remain resilient amid labor shortages, tariffs and weather events by leaning into automation, AI and smart business strategies.
The hard look into the toughest issues facing produce is nothing new for the show or its signature publishing arm, Produce Business, which is now in its 40th year. From its inception, Whitacre and the late Jim Prevor pushed to “initiate industry improvement” through hard-hitting columns and sessions that press for action from executives and political leaders.
“This year’s program and the show, at large, is an homage to continue serving that mission while bringing the next generation into the discussion,” says Chris Burt, Director of Communications and Content Strategy for the New York Produce Show. “Produce needs these front-facing discussions, the exchange of ideas and people willing to talk openly about the most challenging issues, as well as what’s on the horizon. What is being done behind the scenes to put produce front and center for consumers at this pivotal time?”
The final three sessions at Global Trade will address that.
“The Seeds of Change” session is a deep dive into new varietal development, from consumer demand and ideation to positioning in stores. Craig Carlson will lead the discussion with a diverse group of speakers that span the chain – Jenny Maloney (Bayer Crop Science), Uri Krieger (Syngenta), Ernst van Eeghen (Church Brothers) and Amanda Knauff (Taylor Farms).
The final two sessions will cover the marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“The Marketing of Exports” will feature a who’s who of leaders whose goal is to creatively help market and merchandise produce commodities in other countries: Carrie Ann Arias, USA Pears; Kim Breshears, Potatoes USA; Danielle Coco, Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA); Monica Moreno Arellano, Grupo PM; Jennifer Olmstead, California Walnut Board & Commission; and Anne Warden, American Pecan Council.
“The Marketing of Imports” session will do the same from the reverse perspective, with more than $20 billion worth of produce being brought into North America each year. The panel, moderated by Katzman Distribution’s Vic Savanello, will feature Equifruit’s Kim Chackal, the Colombia Avocado Board’s Manuel Michel, Jac Vandenberg’s John Paap and Altar’s Rodrigo Torres.
About Phoenix Media Network
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Phoenix Media Network has provided industry-leading insight across the fresh food and perishables industry for nearly four decades. Founded in 1985, Phoenix Media has grown exponentially. It boasts the signature New York Produce Show as well as supporting publications, Produce Business, Deli Business, Cheese Connoisseur and PerishableNews.com. Phoenix’s mission is to initiate industry improvement; to elevate and modernize the industry; and to help promote and foster discussions on marketing, merchandising, management and procurement.
