International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF 2025)
DATE: 23-25 September 2025
VENUE: Darwin, Australia (Hybrid format: in-person and online)
Advancing the global production and trade of minor tropical fruits for sustainable markets
BACKGROUND
Tropical fruits are classified according to their trade volume. Over the past two decades, the trade of tropical fruits has experienced significant growth, with bananas, avocados, mangoes, pineapple and papaya dominating the market as major tropical fruits. Meanwhile, fruits such as dragon fruit, passion fruit, durian, mangosteens, rambutan and others are categorized as minor tropical fruits.
Recently, trade in minor tropical fruits has shown significant trends and gaining global recognition due to their increasing availability, nutritional benefits, unique flavors, shifts in consumer preferences and commercial potential.
Despite their growing demand in international markets, the production and trade of these fruits face challenges such as superior varieties, production issues, postharvest losses, quality and shelf life, inadequate infrastructure, supply chain inefficiencies, limited awareness and lack of research and development.
While the minor tropical fruit trade is on an upward trajectory, realizing its full potential necessitates collaborative efforts among stakeholders to mitigate existing challenges.
In view of the recent interest in minor tropical fruits, International Tropical Fruits Network, is co-hosting with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government, Australia to organize an international symposium to assess and deliberate on the current situation. The event will bring together industry stakeholders and provide a platform for them to share insights, address challenges, explore opportunities and collaborate for expanding production and trade of these fruit types.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Date | Activity |
| 19 May 2025 | 1st Announcement Call for Abstracts |
| 31 May 2025 | Online Registration Opens |
| 15 June 2025 | 2nd Announcement |
| 30 June 2025 | Early bird registration ends |
| 15 July 2025 | Deadline for abstract submission (guidelines here) |
| 1 August 2025 | Notification of Acceptance |
| 15 September 2025 | Deadline for submission of full papers |
| 22 September 2025 | Symposium date |
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Guidelines for the submission of abstracts are available here. Abstracts should be relevant to the Symposium themes:
- Sustainable Production Practices: Innovations in best production practices, pest management, and climate-resilient farming.
- Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition: Techniques to reduce losses, improve shelf life, and develop processed products.
- Market Access and Trade Policies: Strategies to overcome trade barriers, meet international standards, and access new markets.
- Research and Development: Breeding for superior varieties, improving productivity, quality, pest and disease management and molecular tools.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Role of private sector investment and government support in scaling up production and trade.
Registration Fees
|
Online
|
Physical
|
|
|
Early Bird
(until 30 June 2025)
|
USD 95
|
USD 240
|
|
TFNet Members
|
USD 95
|
USD 240
|
|
Non Members
|
USD 140
|
USD 295
|
|
Students
|
USD 50
|
USD 120
|
For more information, visit www.itfnet.org/istf2025 or email us at istf2025@itfnet.org.