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3rd Stone Fruit Forum focuses on mechanical weed control and irrigation
expoSE & expoDirekt | 18–19 November 2026 | Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre (Germay)
3rd Stone Fruit Forum focuses on mechanical weed control and irrigation
As part of expoSE 2026, the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE) is organising the 3rd Stone Fruit Forum together with VSSE board member Dominic Ell, a berry and stone fruit grower from Beerenhof Ell in Oberkirch, and co-organiser Herbert Knuppen. It will take place on 18 November 2026 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre (Messe Karlsruhe). The focus will be on mechanical weed control and irrigation. Almond cultivation in Germany will also be presented as a means of diversification.
Mechanical weed control – a comparison of current equipment
Alexander Zimmermann from the Technology & Business Development Division of the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture (Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau - LWG) will present various pieces of equipment for the mechanical maintenance of tree rows in orchards. In terms of their effectiveness, these can serve as an alternative or a complement to the use of herbicides in tree rows. The equipment includes powered rotating tools, towed under-branch cutters, disc harrows, mowers and brushes. For Zimmermann, it is particularly important to demonstrate the practical suitability of the equipment.
Irrigation in stone fruit orchards: Plant water requirements – irrigation management – irrigation control
The year 2026 has so far been extremely dry with very high temperatures. According to the long-term forecast by the German Weather Service, this may continue in the coming years. Heatwaves are affecting trees in orchards without irrigation. Trees that have not yet been harvested are at risk of heat damage and sunburn to the fruit. Even harvested trees can show severe symptoms of drought stress, particularly on light soils. This has negative effects on vitality, which may still be noticeable in subsequent years. In isolated cases, this can even lead to total crop failure.
Elke Immik from the Fruit Growing Advisory and Research Service of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück Rural Service Centre (Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück) will demonstrate how to implement efficient irrigation management on the farm and which practical techniques can be used to make the best use of the scarce resource of water. She will also discuss options for accessing water sources and explain what needs to be considered.
Almond cultivation in Germany – a niche crop with potential
German farmers, winegrowers and fruit growers are increasingly looking for ways to diversify. Many of them see almond cultivation as an interesting option. The growing interest in nuts is due, amongst other things, to a rising awareness of climate change, the loss of biodiversity and sustainable food production – among both consumers and producers.
A major advantage of German almonds is their sustainability: from responsible water management and the circular economy to environmental protection and social responsibility. Added to this is the almond’s complete nutritional profile, with a high content of plant-based proteins, calcium and unsaturated fats. – All these characteristics make them a nutrition-conscious snack on the market.
So, does almond cultivation in Germany offer prospects for the future? What are the risks and what are the opportunities? Which varieties are suitable? Peter Hilsendegen from the Fruit Growing Advisory and Research Service of the Horticulture Department at the Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück Rural Service Centre (Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück) will report on the experience already gained with almond cultivation in Germany.
Further specialist forums as part of expoSE & expoDirekt 2026
The 37th Asparagus Day (in German and English, in the conference hall), the 4th Berry Technology Forum (in German and English) and the 1st Bushberry Forum in Hall 2 at the VSSE stand will provide further opportunities for knowledge transfer, discussion and networking.
Following the great success of the last two years, the Direct Marketers’ Forum will once again take place in Hall 1 at the stand of the direct marketing trade journal HOF direkt.
Further information is available at https://www.expo-se.de/en/specialist-forums/
expoSE & expoDirekt 2026
This year, there is a triple anniversary to celebrate as part of expoSE & expoDirekt: the 30th expoSE, the 15th expoDirekt and the 30th anniversary of the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE), which organises both trade fairs. The 30th expoSE – Europe’s leading trade fair for asparagus and berry production, stone fruit cultivation and open-field vegetables – and the 15th expoDirekt – Germany’s largest trade fair for direct marketing of agricultural produce – will open their doors from 18 to 19 November 2026 at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre (Messe Karlsruhe). VSSE e.V. expects over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and around 5,300 trade visitors from over 30 nations. Interested companies can still register here: Register now as an exhibitor for expoSE & expoDirekt Tickets for trade visitors will be available here from September: https://www.expo-se.de/en/ticket/
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers e. V. (VSSE)
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE) is Germany’s largest association of asparagus and strawberry growers, with around 630 members. Since 1996, it has organised expoSE – Europe’s leading trade fair for asparagus and berry cultivation – and, since 2011, has also organised Germany’s largest agricultural direct marketing trade fair, expoDirekt.
Further information can be found at www.vsse.de and www.expo-se.de/en
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