The CCI France Belgium is organizing a major summit on innovation in foodtech and agritech

On April 2 and 3, the France-Belgium Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), in partnership with its sponsors and co-organizers*, will bring together the foodtech and agritech ecosystem at the Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries (ILVO) in Melle, East Flanders, Belgium. Ministers, researchers, industry decision-makers, startups, and other key stakeholders will gather to discuss major sector challenges, highlight innovation, and foster business.

Following the success of the first agritech event held in May 2023 at the Higher Industrial Institute of Agronomy (ISIa) in Gembloux, Wallonia, co-organized with and under the leadership of the Cultural and Scientific Action Service of the French Embassy in Belgium, the France-Belgium Chamber of Commerce and Industry is repeating the event by adding foodtech. It is organizing a Franco-Belgian and European summit focused on innovation in the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The objective is to bring together the entire ecosystem to accelerate the transfer of information, encourage collaborations, and showcase innovations. "France and Belgium maintain deep economic and trade relations, of which the agri-food sector is one of the most important. 15% of Belgian agri-food exports go to France, making France the second-largest supplier and the largest customer in Belgium. This summit aims to bring together all stakeholders in the sector to build the foodtech and agritech of tomorrow," says Anne-Christine Genouville, Director General of the CCI France Belgique. For this second edition, the event will take place at the Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries (ILVO) in Melle, in the Flemish region. The first day will be dedicated to foodtech and the second to agritech.

300 High-Level Participants

Over the two days, 300 high-level participants are expected, including politicians, industrialists, startups, investors, producers, associations, and researchers. The opening and closing speeches will focus on the EU's political and regulatory strategy and the attractiveness of bilateral investments. Participants will include: the French Ambassador to Belgium, Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes; the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture, David Clarinval; the President of Fevia (Federation of Belgian Food Companies), Nathalie Guillaume; the Country Executive of ABN AMRO in Belgium, Joachim Aelvoet; the Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), Diego Canga Fano; and the Director General of CropLife Europe, Olivier de Matos.

A rich and customizable program

During the event, the CCI France Belgique will offer a multitude of activities in a "mirror" program between the two days. To facilitate business exchanges with major companies and investors in attendance, one-on-one business meetings will be organized throughout the two days in a "village" space where the summit's co-organizers, sponsors, and startups will present their work. Four roundtable conferences will be held each day, addressing key themes such as innovation, sustainability in food processing, the impact of climate change, soil and crop health, AI, robotics, and new technologies. Tours of experimental sites will also be offered on the ILVO site, with researchers and scientists in attendance: the Plant Sciences unit, which includes laboratories and plant greenhouses; the Food Pilot, dedicated to food production; and the Living Lab dedicated to the development of innovative technologies. To personalize the participants' agenda, the CCI France Belgique has set up an online ticketing system allowing them to register for roundtable discussions and tours. Finally, the end of the day will highlight the companies of tomorrow with the presence of some twenty French and Belgian startups who will pitch before a panel of professionals (Mycophyto, APEO Solutions, Redebel, Veragrow, etc.). The most convincing will be awarded the prize for the most innovative startup of the day. 

For all information on the event schedule and to register for the roundtables and tours, visit the website: Agrifood Summit 2025.

* List of Agrifood Summit sponsors and co-organizers:
• Sponsors: ABN AMRO, Boortmalt, CropLife Europe, and Danone
• Co-organizers: Wepa Agency, French Embassy in Belgium, Business France, CPAG Consulting, Flanders.Bio, Flanders' Food, ILVO, KU Leuven, VIB, and Vito.

For more information: ccifrancebelgique.be
Contact: antoine.lebellego@cfci
Inscriptions : https://www.eventsccifb.com/agrifood-summit-2025/fr