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The tradeshow about the apple, which takes place in an alternating year cycle, had its first edition in 1998 at the new exhibition center. Since then, it has grown continuously. The existence of this tradeshow is in line with the strategy of the Bolzano Exhibition Center to organize tradeshows in niche areas in which the province of Trentino-Alto Adige can demonstrate its areas of competence beyond the provincial borders. With an area under cultivation of 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres), South Tyrol is the largest contiguous apple cultivation zone in Europe. Every year, an average of 900,000 metric tons (nearly one million US tons) are produced. South Tyrol represents thirty percent of the Italian apple harvest and eleven percent of the entire European apple harvest.
During the three days of the tradeshow, the apple will move back to the spotlight and determine the events. Interpoma in Bolzano is a tradeshow and information platform for all those who are involved in this sector. The fifth edition will take place from November 9 to 11, 2006, and once again, many visitors from apple-producing countries are expected. In order to emphasize the international character of the tradeshow, the Bolzano Exhibition Center organizes a conference at the same time as every tradeshow at which international speakers give lectures and the latest topics are discussed.
Kurt Werth, an internationally recognized expert on apple varieties, is the main organizer of the International Conference. In 2006, the following topics will be discussed:
The Apple in the Wold
New Economic Areas in the Far East
Non-destructive Quality Determination of Apples
Variety Protection, Trademark Protection and Management of Propagation
Interpoma enjoys great popularity among those in the field on both the visitor and exhibitor sides, and it is a mirror of the economic situation and the mood in this sector. South Tyrol is located in the middle of the Alps. It is protected against cold spells from the North by the mountains, but on the other hand, it is wide open toward the South. Consequently, ideal conditions predominate for the cultivation of fruit. The mild climate, with more than three hundred days of sunshine per year and cool nights, is responsible for flavor and quality in the largest contiguous area of fruit cultivation in all of Europe. The elevation of the areas under cultivation ranges from between 220 m. (720 ft.) above sea level at Salurn in the South Tyrolean Lowlands to 1,000 m. (3,300 ft.) above sea level in the Vinschgau Valley.
Over a dozen apple varieties flourish in Europe’s most beautiful fruit orchard, including Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Braeburn.
There are approximately 8,000 fruit growers in South Tyrol. The requirements of the integrated cultivation are fulfilled in an environmentally-protective and consumer-friendly manner. That means that only healthy plants stock is used and every apple variety is matched with the optimal location. Soils, trees, and fruit are cared for in a protective and environmentally conscious manner, and pests are combated naturally to the greatest extent possible.
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