The Franco-Belgian Agrifood Summit: Two Days of Innovation and Collaboration
A look back at the Franco-Belgian Agrifood Summit in Melle, where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators met.
On April 2 and 3, the Franco-Belgian Agrifood Summit gathered industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators in Melle, near Ghent, Belgium. Organized to foster dialogue and collaboration across the agrifood and agritech sectors, the event offered two days of high-level discussions, startup pitches, and networking opportunities.
Day 1: Food Innovation in the Spotlight
The Summit began with a series of impactful keynote speeches delivered by Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, Ambassador of France to Belgium; Chloé Stefani, President of CCI FRANCE BELGIQUE and General Manager at Moët Hennessy Belux; Nathalie Guillaume, General Secretary and Director of Sustainable Development for BeNeLux at Danone, and President of Fevia; and Raf Geenen, Innovation Advisor at Flanders' FOOD. Each speaker offered thoughtful perspectives on the major challenges and opportunities currently shaping the food industry, setting the stage for two days of dynamic discussion and collaboration.
The morning sessions explored the delicate balance between disruptive innovation and regulatory frameworks in the agrifood sector, as well as recent advances in both process and product development that are poised to transform the future of food production. These discussions provided valuable context for the technological and policy-driven shifts influencing the industry today.
Following a morning of rich exchange, participants convened for a networking lunch in the exhibition space known as the Greenhouse. Here, numerous exhibitors unveiled cutting-edge solutions at the forefront of food innovation, fostering informal dialogue and discovery among attendees.
The afternoon continued with two high-level roundtables. The first focused on promoting sustainable and resilient food systems, while the second examined the far-reaching impact of climate change on food innovation—highlighting not only the challenges it presents but also the new avenues for growth and entrepreneurship emerging in response.
One of the highlights of the day was a startup pitch competition featuring six pioneering companies: Asclepios Tech, BforCure, BEEODIVERSITY, MyEasyFarm, MYCOPHYTO, and Fishway. MYCOPHYTO was awarded the audience prize, while the jury selected MyEasyFarm for its outstanding potential and innovative approach.
To close the day, Isabelle Rollier, Policy Officer at the European Commission; Joachim Aelvoet, CEO of ABN AMRO Private Banking Belgium; and Ariane Voyatzakis, Director of Innovation at the National Association of Food Industries (ANIA), delivered final remarks. Conversations continued into the evening during a convivial networking cocktail held once again in the Greenhouse, rounding off a day rich in ideas, connections, and forward-thinking dialogue.
Day 2: Focus on Agritech
The second day of the Summit shifted the focus toward agritech and innovation in agriculture. The discussions were launched by key policymakers, including David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and Federal Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture; Diego Canga Fano, Director at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI); and Joris Relaes, CEO of ILVO (the Flemish Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research), who welcomed participants to ILVO’s research facilities for the day’s events.
The morning roundtables explored how to stimulate agricultural innovation while maintaining compliance with regulatory frameworks, alongside a deep dive into the latest progress in crop and soil health. Topics included regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices, both essential to building a resilient agrifood system.
During the networking lunch held once again in the Greenhouse, participants had the chance to exchange ideas with researchers and exhibitors, furthering the conversation around practical applications and breakthrough technologies.
The afternoon continued with two additional roundtables. The first examined recent innovations in plant breeding and the use of new genomic techniques to develop crops that are more resistant to climate-related stress. The second focused on the transformative role of artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics in modern agriculture, illustrating how digital technologies are redefining productivity and sustainability across the sector.
An exclusive tour of ILVO’s cutting-edge facilities gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing research projects and technological advancements. The day also featured a second startup pitch session, with presentations from Asclepios Tech, BEEODIVERSITY, B-COS, MYCOPHYTO, MINAGRO, RumeXperts, and Veragrow. B-COS received the audience award, while Veragrow was selected by the jury for its innovative potential.
The Summit concluded with closing speeches by Olivier de Matos, Director General of CropLife Europe; Ann Van Gysel, CEO of NewCo flanders.bio x MEDVIA; Anne-Christine Genouville, Managing Director of CCI FRANCE BELGIQUE; and Isalyne Michel, Sales Director at CCI FRANCE BELGIQUE. Their remarks brought the event to a close, highlighting the importance of collaboration, innovation, and policy alignment in shaping the future of European agriculture.
A Promising Outlook for Franco-Belgian Agrifood Collaboration
The Franco-Belgian Agrifood Summit 2025 successfully brought together a wide range of stakeholders, fostering discussions on the future of the agrifood sector. The CCI France Belgique would like to thank all participants for their presence over the two days and for helping make the event lively and highly interactive. Special thanks to our sponsors: Boortmalt, ABN-AMRO, CropLife Europe and Danone, and to ILVO for hosting us over the two days. Through two days of high-level exchanges, dynamic startup showcases, and policy insights, the event reinforced the critical role of innovation and collaboration in driving a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive food and agricultural industry across Europe.
