Fruit for the Future returns to showcase cutting-edge innovation in soft fruit breeding and technology
Nikki Jennings at Fruit for the Future 2025
Hutton Scientific Services, the commercial arm of The James Hutton Institute, in partnership with the Scottish Society for Crop Research, will host its flagship Fruit for the Future event at the Hutton’s Invergowrie campus on Thursday 16th July, bringing together industry stakeholders from across the soft fruit sector supply chain for a day of innovation, insight and collaboration.
The annual event welcomes growers, breeders, agronomists, researchers and industry partners to explore the latest advances shaping the future of berry production. The Hutton, internationally recognised for its soft fruit breeding programme, will demonstrate its science in action, with a focus on sustainable production, crop technology and next-generation breeding techniques.
The programme includes guided field tours of the Hutton’s soft fruit breeding plots, where leading breeder Nikki Jennings will highlight how breeding programmes are improving production efficiency, fruit quality, climate resilience and responsiveness to changing market demands.
Fruit for the Future is a great opportunity for key players from across the soft fruit industry to come together to explore progress in our breeding programmes and discuss the challenges facing the sector. We also value the chance to gather feedback on varieties currently in development.
Nikki Jennings – Fruit Breeder Hutton Scientific Services
Visitors will see live demonstrations of the latest agricultural robotics and machinery, including the National Robotarium’s robotic dog SPOT, a sensor-equipped platform for crop research, and two specialist machines from agri-tech company Kirkland; the BURRO robot, designed to improve harvesting efficiency, and the RootWave weeder, which removes weeds without chemicals.
There will also be a tour of the Hutton’s advanced controlled environments and its phenotyping platform and campus partner, Intelligent Growth Solutions, will showcase their vertical farming technology.
Researchers and students will be available throughout the day to discuss ongoing work in molecular breeding and trait analysis, aimed at accelerating variety development and improving breeding precision.
A dedicated exhibition space will highlight industry partners and exhibitors, including LGC Biosearch Technologies, CANNA, Kirkland and a range of organisations from across the agri-tech sector.
Now firmly established as a key annual meeting point for the soft fruit industry, Fruit for the Future continues to foster collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange across the sector.
