SE ASIA Meet Up 2026 Full Program Announced

10 May 2026

The Full Program for AFL SE ASIA Meet Up 2026 is here

Bringing together top fresh produce decision-makers from Southeast Asia and beyond, the SE ASIA Meet Up delivers a full day of expert-led sessions and high-value networking — with the programme curated.

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Read the Full Program on 18 May

09:15-10:00 Registration and networking
10:00-10:10 Welcome and opening remarks

David Axiotis, Global Produce Events
John Hey, Fruitnet Asia

10:10-11:00 Southeast Asia’s shifting consumer landscape
Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse and dynamic regions for the global fresh fruit and vegetable business. What are the hottest consumer markets? How is retail evolving across the region? And how can fresh produce marketers best position their products?

Carlo Magni, Forward Insight (New Zealand)
Gunn Vitidphapatumrong, CP Axtra (Thailand)
Sam White,T&G South East Asia (Thailand)
Jose Vottero, Fresh Fruit-X (Malaysia)

11:00-11:30 Networking break
11:30-12:15 Going digital: new ways to build fresh produce brands
While China continues to blaze a trail in digital marketing, online channels are rapidly gaining traction across Southeast Asia. The digital landscape is changing how people discover, evaluate and buy fresh fruit. This session explores the main platforms and the key trends shaping the market. How can marketers navigate this landscape to tell their stories and build their brands?

Ryan Molloy, Redfern Digital (China)

12:15-12:30 Market update: South African apples
South African apples returned to the Thai market in 2025 after a 16-year absence. This segment reviews the campaign and looks at what’s in store for the coming season.

Sachin Khurana, South African Apples (Thailand)

12:30-13:30 Networking lunch
13:30-14:30 What’s next for Asia’s tropical fruit boom?
China’s ever-increasing appetite for durian and other tropical fruits is driving a boom in exports from Southeast Asia. How is consumer demand evolving? What are the emerging products and suppliers to watch? How will new logistics and infrastructure projects further fuel the boom? And what opportunities exist to diversify exports beyond the region into global markets?

Ling Ma, Goodfarmer Group (China)
Stephen Antig, Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (The Philippines)
Beimeng Fu, independent multimedia journalist (China)

14:30-15:00 Networking break
15:00-15:45 Breaking new ground: Latin America’s foray into Southeast Asia
While China dominates Latin America’s fruit exports to Asia, major supplying nations are seeking to diversify their presence and expand into Southeast Asia. Landmark logistics projects like the Port of Chancay in Peru now provide a launchpad for expansion, radically reducing shipping times. How will Latin America’s foray into Southeast Asia reshape the market?

Erick Aponte, PromPeru (Thailand)
Gonzalo Matamala Ortiz, Frutura Asia (China)
Julio Bellota, DP World (Thailand)
Wongsakorn 'Bill' Chatamornwong, City Fresh Fruit (Thailand)

16:00-17:00 Southeast Asia: the next frontier for berries
While China has driven Asia’s berry boom, Southeast Asia is emerging as the next frontier for growth. Consumption is growing across several markets, fuelled by imports from China. New production projects are also taking shape across the region to feed growing demand. We explore the opportunities and challenges for the burgeoning berry category.