International Conference “Fruit and Berry Valorisation”

International Conference “Fruit and Berry Valorisation”

The Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Estonian University of Life Sciences invites you to participate in the international conference “Fruit and Berry Valorisation”, which will take place on 6 November 2025.

The conference will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders from the fields of agriculture and food industry. The focus will be on innovative solutions, technologies, and practices for fruit and berry valorisation. Special attention will also be given to the commercial application of research results and the sustainable use of resources.

Participation is free of charge. The conference will be held in a hybrid format – participants can attend on-site in Polli or online. A link for online participation will be sent shortly before the event.

PROGRAMME

6 November, Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Estonian University of Life Sciences

09:00 Registration, welcome coffee, product presentations

09:30–09:40 Opening of the conference

09:40–10:10 “Functional ingredients from berry processing by-products: reuse, characterization and application.”
Petras Rimantas Venskutonis, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania

10:15–10:45 “From science to practice – experience of the Latvia Institute of Horticulture in fruit processing.”
Dalija Seglina, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia

10:50–11:20 Coffee break, product presentations

11:20–11:50 “Health effect studies with food products made from apple juice press residues.”
Speaker to be confirmed, Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies (TFTAK), Estonia

11:55–12:10 “Aronia and quince.”
Sana Ben-Othman, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

12:15–12:30 Research Infrastructure “Food”
Toonika Rinken, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

12:35–13:05 Product presentations

13:05–14:00 LUNCH

14:00–14:15 “Research and development projects Crosspaths, Baltic Cider and the use of horticultural by-products (sea buckthorn and blackcurrant leaf and shoot biomass) in rainbow trout and crayfish feed mixtures.”
Reelika Rätsep, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

14:20–14:35 “Utilisation opportunities of quince, currants and gooseberries.”
Viive Sarv, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

14:40–14:55 “Valorisation of raspberry and honeysuckle berries.”
Peeter Laurson, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

15:00–15:30 Coffee break, product presentations

15:30–15:45 “Healthier cookies? Using lingonberry processing residues in model food development.”
Nora Pap, Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland

15:50–16:05 “Valorisation of pome fruits.”
Uko Bleive, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

16:10–16:30 Wrap-up and closing of the conference

16:30–17:30 Visit to the laboratories and production facilities of the Polli Horticultural Research Centre

The conference is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the project “Knowledge-based health and natural products for higher added value in horticulture and food sector.”