Fruits and vegetables are critical sources of essential nutrients and support livelihoods across their value chains — from farmers and processors to traders — making them central to food security, nutrition and economic development. More than 1 000 species contribute to about 30 percent of global food consumption and 20 percent of global food exports. Yet, investment in research and development for many of these crops remains sub-optimal, particularly in countries where food insecurity and malnutrition are most widespread. FAO’s forthcoming Global report Unlocking the full potentials of fruits and vegetables globally, will examine trends in production, marketing and consumption, and identify key value-chain constraints to inform priority actions.
Organized under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the International Horticultural Congress (IHC) is a leading global forum for sharing knowledge and innovation in horticulture. IHC 2026, to be held in Kyoto, Japan, under the theme Exploring the Diversity of Horticulture, provides an important platform for FAO to present its horticulture-related work, engage with the global community, and gather feedback through a proposed side event.
The FAO side event will bring together Member Nations, FAO staff, policymakers, private sector representatives, researchers, development partners, civil society, youth and farmers' organizations, and the media to discuss priorities for unlocking the potential of fruits and vegetables for sustainable agrifood systems.
The side event aims to:
- Present preliminary findings from FAO’s forthcoming Global Report and obtain feedback from the scientific and wider horticultural sector community.
- Facilitate firsthand interaction between FAO leadership and policymakers, private sector, research and academia and sundry development partners on the strengthening of horticulture value chains.
- Identify key priority areas for policy interventions and investment opportunities for enhanced production and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Expected Outcomes
Identification of key issues for the finalization of FAO’s forthcoming global fruits and vegetables report.
Increased awareness among the horticultural sector stakeholders of FAO’s role in leveraging fruits and vegetables in transforming agrifood systems for greater sustainability.
Facilitated exchange of perspectives amongst stakeholders as means to increased multiform partnerships.
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