Port Tampa Bay hosts successful and insightful conference/port tour for International Pineapple Organization

TAMPA, Fla.— The International Pineapple Organization (IPO) held its second Global Pineapple Conference in Tampa March 19-20, 2014. Hosted by Port Tampa Bay, and sponsored by the port, CSX and Ports America, the IPO Global Pineapple Conference brought together many of the key stakeholders in the pineapple industry, including major growers, importers and processors, as well as transportation and logistics providers.

Underscoring the conference was an open forum among attendees to discuss core issues impacting the pineapple industry, including supply and demand trends, transportation and logistics, technology and sustainability issues. Attendees also observed a presentation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Pineapple Research and Promotion Board.

Port Tampa Bay is endeavoring to expand its diverse cargo base by marketing its capabilities as a port to handle fresh fruit from international markets, particularly Central and South America. Last year’s inaugural IPO Global Pineapple Conference was held in Costa Rica, one of the world’s top pineapple producing nations.

“Port Tampa Bay is pleased to have hosted this thought-provoking conference, which has brought together the movers and shakers in the pineapple industry,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

In addition to representatives from the IPO, Port Tampa Bay and Ports America, presenters and attendees for the 2014 IPO Global Pineapple Conference represented a variety of fresh pineapple growers, distributors and logistics providers, including Kelly Brothers; Dulce Fresh, LLC; Chestnut Hill Farms; USDA, AMS, FVP Promotions & Economics Division; Zim Integrated Shipping Services; Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC); Maersk Line; CH Robinson; and J&K Fresh Custom Brokers. The conference sessions were capped off with a harbor tour of Port Tampa Bay.

See more about the International Pineapple Organization at http://i-pineapple-a.blogspot.com/.

About Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port and the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. The port was recently voted “Simply the Best” for world-class customer service in a Logistics Management Magazine reader poll. For more information, visit www.portTB.com.