The event was attended by representatives and executives from Baika, Frutexsa, GoodValley, Kaiken, Pacific Nut, Prunesco, Silvestres, South 365, Sunsweet, and Superfruit, among other companies in the nut and dried fruit sector; it is a new edition of the INC World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress—the leading global gathering of the nut and dried fruit industry— and took place from May 12 to 14.
The event—organized by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC)—held its 43rd edition this year in Macau, on China’s southern coast, bringing together more than 1,200 business leaders, exporters, buyers, processors, and specialists from over 65 countries.
Over the course of three days, the conference addressed key issues for the global industry, including harvest projections, consumer trends, sustainability, technological innovation, artificial intelligence applied to business, and logistical and commercial challenges for global markets.
Alejandra Guerrero, from Baika, highlighted the strategic value of participating in an event of this magnitude. “The opportunity to participate in this Congress has been incredibly valuable, mainly because of the chance to connect with the rest of the industry and with high-level clients, buyers, and decision-makers. All the meetings we’ve had have been very interesting for us,” she said.
The executive particularly appreciated the roundtables and technical sessions where market figures and outlooks were shared. “We discuss highly relevant information on production volumes, costs, consumption trends, and projections for prunes and other categories. This helps us understand where the global dried fruit industry is headed.”
Juan Cristóbal Coloma, from Kaiken, highlighted the level of international networking offered by the event. “It’s very valuable to connect with clients from different parts of the world—Europe, Asia, and Latin America—all of whom are top-tier, just like the organization. It’s a highly effective conference in both commercial and strategic terms, with very productive meetings. Without a doubt, attending the INC is highly recommended,” he said.
On social media, several Chilean companies that were there highlighted the strategic nature of the event for strengthening international ties and learning about the trends that will shape the industry’s future development. They emphasized the importance of exchanging knowledge, building partnerships, and deepening business relationships in key markets.
One of the topics that generated the most interest at this year’s event was the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on the food and agricultural export industry. Among the speakers was Jason Fu, an expert in AI applied to consumer goods companies, who discussed how AI is beginning to redefine decision-making processes, operational efficiency, and business models at global companies.
The conference also placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, production efficiency, automation, and traceability—elements that are increasingly important to consumers and international markets. Several presentations and panel discussions explored how the industry is addressing challenges related to food safety, cost reduction, technological innovation, and adaptation to new regulatory and environmental requirements.
For just over a year now, the Chilean Trade Association of Prune Processors and Exporters, Chileprunes, has been an official member of the INC. For Pedro Acuña, executive director of Chileprunes, this membership is part of the association’s commitment to the sector’s international development.
“Being part of the INC means driving the global dried fruit and nut industry toward a future of sustainability, innovation, and prosperity. In our case, with a special focus on continuing to strengthen the international positioning of Chilean prunes”, he said.
The INC World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress is considered the world’s most important gathering for the industry, establishing itself as a strategic platform for trade, trend analysis, and the generation of business opportunities on a global scale.
