Press Releases
expoSE & expoDirekt | November 18–19, 2026 | Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center
3. Stone Fruit Forum focuses on mechanical weed control and irrigation
Bruchsal, August 5, 2026. As part of expoSE 2026, the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE), together with VSSE board member Dominic Ell, berry and stone fruit grower from Beerenhof Ell in Oberkirch, and co-organizer Herbert Knuppen, is hosting the 3rd Stone Fruit Forum. It will take place on November 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center. The focus will be on mechanical weed control and irrigation. Almond cultivation in Germany will also be presented as a diversification option.
Mechanical weed control – a comparison of current equipment
Alexander Zimmermann from the Technology & Business Development department of the Bavarian State Research Center for Viticulture and Horticulture (LWG) will present various machines for mechanized orchard maintenance. These machines can offer an alternative or complement to herbicide use in orchards. The machines include powered rotary tools, trailed undercutting tools, disc harrows, mowers, and brushes. Zimmermann emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the machines' practical applicability.
Irrigation in stone fruit: Water requirements of the plants – Irrigation management – Irrigation control
The year 2026 has been extremely dry so far, with very high temperatures. According to the long-term forecast of the German Weather Service, this trend could continue in the coming years. These heat waves are affecting trees in orchards without irrigation. Trees that have not yet been harvested are at risk of heat damage and sunburn on the fruit. Even harvested trees, especially those on light soils, can show significant signs of drought stress. This has a negative impact on their vitality, which may be noticeable in subsequent years. In isolated cases, total tree loss is even possible.
Elke Immik from the fruit-growing advisory service and the experimental department of the Agricultural Economics division at the Rhineland-Palatinate Rural Service Center will demonstrate how to implement efficient irrigation management on the farm and which effective techniques can be used to optimally utilize the scarce resource of water. She will also discuss options for accessing water and explain what needs to be considered in this process.
Almond cultivation in Germany – a niche crop with potential
German farmers, winegrowers, and fruit growers are increasingly seeking diversification opportunities. Many of them see almond cultivation as an attractive option. The growing interest in nuts is partly due to increasing awareness of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable food production – among both consumers and producers.
A major advantage of German almonds is their sustainability: from responsible water management and circular economy practices to environmental protection and social responsibility. Added to this is the almond's complete nutritional profile, with a high proportion of plant-based proteins, calcium, and unsaturated fats. – All these qualities make them a health-conscious snack on the market.
Does almond cultivation in Germany offer a future? What are the risks and opportunities? Which varieties are suitable? Peter Hilsendegen from the fruit-growing advisory and experimental department of the horticulture division at the Rhineland-Hesse-Nahe-Hunsrück Rural Service Center will report on the experience already gained in almond cultivation in Germany.
Further specialist forums within the framework of expoSE & expoDirekt 2026
Additional knowledge transfer, exchange and networking opportunities will be provided by the 37th Asparagus Day (in German and English, in the conference hall), the 4th Berry Technology Forum (in German and English) and the 1st Bush Berry Forum in Hall 2 at the VSSE stand.
Following the great success of the last two years, the direct marketers' forum will again take place in Hall 1 at the stand of the direct marketers' trade journal HOF direkt.
More information is available at https://www.expo-se.de/fachforen
The expoSE & expoDirekt 2026
This year marks a triple anniversary at expoSE & expoDirekt: the 30th expoSE, the 15th expoDirekt and the 30th anniversary of the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE), which organizes the two trade fairs.
The 30th expoSE – Europe's leading trade fair for asparagus and berry production, including stone fruit and open-field vegetables – and the 15th expoDirekt – Germany's largest trade fair for direct agricultural marketing – will open their doors at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center from November 18th to 19th, 2026. The VSSE eV expects over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and around 5.300 trade visitors from over 30 nations. Interested companies can still register here: https://www.expo-se.de/anmeldung Tickets for trade visitors will be available here from September: https://www.expo-se.de/ticket-kaufen
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers. V. (VSSE)
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE) is Germany's largest association of asparagus and strawberry growers with around 630 members. Since 1996, it has organized expoSE – Europe's leading trade fair for asparagus and berry cultivation – and since 2011, it has also organized expoDirekt, Germany's largest agricultural direct marketing trade fair.
For more information, please visit www.vsse.de
Contacts:
Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers
Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 2-6 / Building 5161
76646 Bruchsal
Simon Schumacher, Managing Director / Board Spokesman
Tel .: + 49 (0) 7251 3032080
schumacher@vsse.de
Isabelle Bohnert, press and public relations officer
Tel .: + 49 (0) 7251 3032184
bohnert@vsse.de