The 40th World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress to gather 1,300 professionals from all over the world in London

• The largest international event for the nut and dried fruit sector to take place on May 22-24, at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
• Virginia Stagni, Business Development Manager and Talent Director at the Financial Times, and mountaineer Edurne Pasaban, the first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders will give the keynote sessions

May 16, 2023

From May 22 to 24, 2023, 1,300 professionals from more than 60 countries will gather at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London for the 40^th World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress, organized by the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC).

The event’s 40^th edition is coming back to London after 26 years, with a stimulating three-day program where attendees will debate and discuss industry knowledge covering topics such as product and market trends, nutrition and the latest scientific discoveries in nut and dried fruit consumption. As well as this, the Congress will host excellent networking opportunities for participants at emblematic London locations such as The Dorchester and the Tate Modern.

Congress Sessions

The Nutrition Research Seminar will enable attendees to know the latest advances in health and nutrition. Led by renowned Professor Jordi Salas-Salvadó, the session will cover the major scientific findings from the last year. He will be joined by Dr. Marta Guasch-Ferré, discussing nut consumption for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and also Prof. Gideon Lack, winner of this year’s INC Award for Excellence in Research, who will discuss the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study and beyond.

The Sustainability Seminar will be run by Mr. Pino Calcagni, Chairman of the INC Sustainability, Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, where he will be joined by Dr. Rachael Garrett, Moran Professor of Conservation and Development, University of Cambridge. Mr. Calgagni will give an overview of sustainability practices along the supply chain and introduce the new INC Sustainability Project, which will focus on the importance of reforestation. Dr. Garrett will review threats to forests and sustainable development in the tropics, and the success and shortfalls of current policies to end deforestation and improve livelihoods in the region.

Along with the research and health programs, Virginia Stagni, Business Development Manager and Talent Director at the Financial Times, and mountaineer Edurne Pasaban, the first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders will give the keynote sessions. Virginia Stagni will focus on the importance of identifying young talents to bring to the company and Edurne Pasaban will share, Expedition to Success: Achieving goals and overcoming difficulties.

Finally, the Congress’s technical program includes a series of thematic round-table discussions focused on the different types of nuts and dried fruits, which will be run by nut and dried fruit industry’s top professionals from all over the world.

Nut & Dried Fruit Consumption in the UK

The UK is the top 15 tree nut consumer in the world, with a domestic consumption estimated at 75,000 metric tons/year (kernel basis, except pistachios in-shell). The most consumed tree nuts in the UK are cashews (30%), followed by almonds (26%), walnuts (15%), hazelnuts (13%) and pistachios (6%). Over the last decade, tree nut consumption grew at a rate of 5% per year. As for dried fruit consumption, the UK is the eighth consuming country worldwide, with raisins accounting for 92,600 metric tons/year; which is 78% of the overall dried fruit consumption. Regarding product category, flavoured nuts and nut-based spreads, are clearly growing.

INC Awards

The INC Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the sector. This year, the Golden Nut Award will be given to INC Executive Director Goretti Guasch for her 25 years of service in the industry, the Corporate Golden Nut Award will be received by Voicevale for their excellence in and commitment to the sector. Other awards will be given to Prof. Gideon Lack for Excellence in Research and the Excellence in Gastronomy will be handed out to Chef Michel Roux Jr.; Chef Patron of iconic Michelin 2-starred Le Gavroche in Mayfair. As well as this, the INC will also give out the Innovation Award and Excellence in Sustainability Award which recognise exceptional products or projects. These awards will be decided on-site.