Interpom draws record 24,000 visitors from 59 countries

International potato trade fair Interpom attracted a record 23,998 visitors from 59 countries to Kortjik Xpo in Belgium, along with 330 exhibitors from 15 countries, according to event organizers.

Attendees participated in educational sessions and panel discussions focused on sustainability as part of this year theme, “Energizing a Potato Industry in Transition.”

Topics addressed included integrating new technologies into agriculture and water management as a source of new solutions.

“Interpom has never received so many visitors, and never before has the audience been so diverse and international,” said Christophe Vermeulen, CEO of Belgapom, the Belgian potato trade and processing industry association. “This proves that the consistent effort and commitment to a proven concept continue to bear fruit.”

The 23,998 visitors represented an 18% increase from the last event, with 31.5% of visitors coming from abroad.

Potato industry professionals from the Netherlands, France, Canada, India, Australia, the U.S., Japan, South African and northern Europe, among other regions, attended the three-day event from Nov. 24-26.