Steadily increasing worldwide fruit and vegetable production
European fruit growers last year experienced record harvests, while vegetable production saw a decline. At the press conference at the opening of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007, Messe Berlin Director Dr. Christian Gke was quoting the estimates of the Central Market and Press Office (ZMP) for Agriculture, Forestry and Food Industry Products. The higher citrus fruit harvest was one of the main reasons why 2006 saw a record harvest of 37 million tonnes of fruit. Vegetable production of the 25 member states, by contrast, fell by four per cent to 57 million tonnes, Dr. Gke stated. According to ZMP, total world production of vegetables was 900 million tonnes, and was continuously rising. But the upwards trend in fruit production had been interrupted in 2005 as a result of hurricane and frost damage. The major import regions for fresh fruit and vegetable were the EU, North America and Japan.
New FRESHCONEX trade show to open in 2008
Another new attraction will be added to FRUIT LOGISTICA in 2008. The FRESHCONEX trade show will provide a special marketing platform for suppliers and buyers of fresh-cut and convenience products. FRESHCONEX will be held parallel to FRUIT LOGISTICA on 7-9 February 2008. The two trade fairs will be presented in all halls at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
Presentation of the German Fruit Award: Germany’s best fresh produce sectors
Speaking at FRUIT LOGISTICA, Gnter Schweinsberg, Managing Director of Fruchthandel Magazine said, "The German Fruit Award 2007 recognises companies and departments that have developed particularly attractive displays and innovations to promote fresh produce sales". Presented in cooperation with the trade journal Rundschau fr den Lebensmittelhandel, the award is offered in six categories. This year’s award in the best consumer market category goes to the Edeka Aktiv market in Alzenau. The best self-service department store is Globus in Vlklingen, and the winner in the supermarket category is the Kupsch-Markt Konrad in Lohr/Main. The award for the most exemplary supermarket goes to the Karstadt branch in Nuremberg, Frchte Kockler from Pttlingen comes up trumps in the category specialist shop and the special award for bioproducts goes to the Karstadt store in Dresden. For further information: www.fruchtpreis.de
DFHV: FRUIT LOGISTICA is German platform for international trade
The DFHV (German Fruit Trade Association) views the FRUIT LOGISTICA as an ideal platform for international networking and business contacts. According to DFHV President Fred Wahnsiedler, "Fruit wholesalers in Germany recorded revenues of over EUR 16 billion. A relatively high import share of around 75 percent makes Germany the most important market in Europe. The trade fair has gained enormous international significance and clearly reflects the global supply of goods". Coordination is needed in the exchange of goods as well as in the agreement over standards and services. "Certification within the supply chain has become an absolute must, especially for marketing through food retailers," Wahnsiedler said. "The EurepGap and QS standards are established in production, while the International Food Standard applies to retailers. The DFHV has integrated backorder monitoring into its "4fresh" strategy in order to link the various standards to an efficient quality assurance tool." (Hall 2.1, Stand C-17. Contact: Dr. Andreas Brgger, phone: +49.172.2117255)
BVEO calls for acceptance of unapproved pesticides
From a consumer protection standpoint, pesticides that are not authorised in Germany can indeed be used in this country. In a speech presented at the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 opening conference, Karl Schmitz, Managing Director of the BVEO (German Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers), set the record straight: "While 25 different pesticides are authorised for use on hothouse tomatoes in the Netherlands, only five of these are permitted in Germany". Schmitz added that the other twenty pesticides are not authorised because, due to their weak sales potential, the manufacturers never bother to apply for permits. Schmitz called for EU member states to allow pesticides authorised in one country to be legally used in another. These rules should also apply to pesticide residues: German products with low contaminant levels are widely accepted in other countries. "But products with 100 times the level legally permitted in Germany are sold here." Schmitz questioned this policy: "What ever happened to consumer protection?" he asked.
Numerous new products from France
Under the auspices of Sopexa in Hall 1.2, 102 exhibitors from France, Europe's third-largest fruit and vegetable producing country, are presenting a wide variety of goods along with a number of new products. Potato specialists Pom’Alliance Provence (Stand B-12) are showing the Apribilles snack pack containing 250g of mini-potatoes and a choice of two sauces. A full meal can be prepared in a matter of minutes from the tender Baker Party potatoes available in four different sizes. ValNantais (C-10) is presenting a combination pack with 250g of radishes and high-quality Fleur de Sel de Gurande. The new Juliet® variety from Les Amis de Juliet (C-14A) is an organically-grown, two-colour apple certified by independent institutes including Ecocert, Ulase, Agrocer and Qualit France. Groupe Marais (B-05) is now selling its bib lettuce as a pure in the Vel’Vita product line. The "Mon bb mange bio" fruit and vegetable products from Alterbio France (A-07) are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of babies. Along with the Apribilles snack and Juliet® apple, this product has been nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2007. (Hall 1.2, Stand B-03. Contact: Heide Gather, phone: +49.211.498080)
AMC supports 11 Hungarian companies
The Hungarian fruit and vegetable industry's interest in FRUIT LOGISTICA is continuing to grow. For example, the new Dalza Hungria trading company – founded by the major producing organisations Dlkertsz and Mrakert – is being introduced to an international public here in Berlin. The joint Hungarian stand in Hall 5.1 covers an area of 180 sqm. Participation of the 11 companies is being supported this year by the AMC agricultural marketing centre of the Ministry for Agriculture and Regional Development. According to Rbert Ivnfalvi from the AMC, some EUR 240,000 were earmarked for this last year. This is equivalent to around 10 percent of the entire AMC annual marketing budget. The industry is expected to receive government subsidies again this year. Ivnfalvi also mentioned new information offered by the AMC in English and German within the FRUIT LOGISTICA Virtual Market Place (www.virtualmarket.fruitlogistica.com). (Hall 5.1, Stand B-14. Contact: Rbert Ivnfalvi, phone: +36.1.3014333)
CMA: New export channels for German fruit and vegetables
With a large display stand covering 1,400 sqm, the CMA (German Agricultural Marketing Board) and BVEO (German Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers) will be present along with QS Qualitt und Sicherheit GmbH (quality assurance firm), the "5 per Day" initiative and the CMA Export Service for fresh produce from Germany. "One of the prime CMA objectives at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 is the development of new export channels for German fruit and vegetables", says trade show and exhibition consultant Manfred Keil. "Representatives from our product divisions are also interested in talking to fresh produce growers and retailers about CMA domestic marketing activities". A key component this year is the widespread implementation and market penetration of the QA monitoring system for fruit and vegetables. QA system experts will be available on-site at the exhibition stand. (Hall 2.1, Stand C-09. Contact: Manfred Keil, phone: +49.228.847457)
International acclaim for new Swiss varieties
According to information from Bernadette Galliker, Director of Marketing and Advertising for the Swiss Fruit Association, Swiss exports are aimed at high-quality niche markets and consumers with purchasing power. She reports that large, red-cheeked Golden Delicious apples account for the highest export volume. These products are exported to France where they are sold under the name Golden Victor. Other new Swiss fruit varieties including Rubinette, Maigold, Mairac® and Diwa®, sold under the Junami® brand name are internationally popular. Switzerland is aiming at a leadership role in organic food production. "Efforts are being made to place Swiss bioproducts on the export market" says Galliker. "These vegetables are characterised by high quality backed by a great deal of expertise and careful production". Along with the potato industry organisation, the Swiss booth at FRUIT LOGISTICA is hosting several fruit, vegetable, and potato trade and growers' associations. (Hall 2.1, Stand D-15. Contact: Bernadette Galliker, phone: +41.41.7286870)
GFI German wholesalers: quality, variety, value added
The German wholesale market association GFI will be present at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the fourth time with a joint stand. With new wholesale market members from Saarbrcken, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Rostock and Leipzig, the number of exhibitors appearing at the GFI has grown to 18. Aside from this growth in membership, the GFI’s new trade fair display stand promises to make a big impression. "Our new design places even greater emphasis on the quality and variety of our products. It also emphasises the importance of value added and networking", say GFI Chairman Uwe Kluge. The 400 sqm exhibit features a round middle section surrounded by the 18 fresh-produce centres arranged in a star formation. All of the wholesale markets can be seen from the aisle. According to Kluge, the GFI's trade fair objectives include solidifying relationships with existing marketing partners such as Zespri, Enza, the South Tyrol fruit industry association and Sopexa. He’s also looking forward to interesting discussions with new customers and suppliers from all over the world. (Hall 4.2, Stand E-13. Contact: Andreas Foidl, phone: +49.30.39896112)
"5 per Day" promotional week
"Wir bringen Bewegung in Ihr Geschft" (We add vitality to your business) is the slogan at the 5 per Day display stand where the main focus is on the upcoming promotional action. "The aim of the '5 per Day' campaign taking place across Germany from 13-20 October 2007 is to encourage people everywhere to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables" says Helmuth M. Huss, chairman of the 5 per Day Association. The idea is to make a well-balanced diet of fruit and vegetables available to people at work, at school, everywhere. This is especially important in terms of healthcare costs, because it has been proven that eating a balanced diet of fresh fruit and vegetables helps prevent certain diseases. The '5 per Day' association wants to motivate people to eat vegetables three times a day and fruit at least twice each day. FRUIT LOGISTICA serves as a launching pad for the '5 per Day' campaign publicity and offers good opportunities to bring together new ideas and gain joint partners. (Hall 2.1, Stand D-06. Contact: Thomas Erdmann, phone: +49.176.10086719)
World first: Log-ic temperature tag gives full control over the cooling chain
Launch at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007: Intelligent Devices Inc. und Evidencia LLP are showing off their wireless electronic temperature tag, Log-ic Thermassure RF to the trade audience. This "Class 3 RFID sensor" tag allows full control over the cooling chain of perishable goods. It records and stores up to 4,000 measurement points as a progression curve and interprets them in a temperature histogram. Using a 13.56 MHz RFID radio frequency reading system on a PC or laptop, the data can be read from the watertight tag, measuring 6 cm x 6 cm x 3 mm thick, at a range of up to 400 metres. The wireless technology means that the Log-ic temperature tag does not need to be removed from the packaging, ensuring that the cooling chain remains unbroken. (Hall 25, Stand C-01. Contact: Joanne Watters, phone: +1.613.7458400)
Cobana Fruchtring: Focus on grapes
According to Marketing Manager Stephen Schlick, the Cobana Fruchtring Group is focusing its trade fair activities this year on grapes from the southern hemisphere. Trade show visitors will find comprehensive information on this business segment – currently of high interest to the industry – at the joint stand for the 40 affiliated Cobana Fruchtring wholesale companies in Hall 6.2. The latest issue of the company's "b hoch 3" magazine addresses many interesting aspects of this product range. Schlick points out that worldwide cultivation has produced a wide variety of grapes, the combination of the southern hemisphere’s harvest with European crops has also led to year-round availability. Growing demands from European customers for product safety has driven the development of quality management to top levels internationally. "Cobana Fruchtring holds all the required certifications and recently became the first produce industry organisation to fulfil ISO-22000 criteria and meet the highest food safety standards"; Schlick said. (Hall 6.2, Stand A-10. Contact: Stephan Schlick, phone: +49.172.4011719)
Red chicory and blue potatoes from Flanders
"The Flanders Agricultural Marketing Office (VLAM) is responsible for promoting sales of Flemish agricultural and horticultural products inside and outside Belgium," explains Paul Coenen, Manager of the German VLAM office. He points out that Belgium produces a million tonnes of fresh vegetables every year, of which 750,000 tonnes are exported. Belgium is the world’s leading exporter of Conference pears and leeks. Every year, more than 50 varieties of vegetables – accounting for 440,000 tonnes of production – are awarded the Flandria test mark. In the words of Mr Coenen, "That makes Flandria the most important fresh vegetable brand in Europe." He said that Flandria vegetables guaranteed extra quality and were cultivated to stringent specifications. A total of 17 Belgian fruit and vegetable exporters and the Belgian potato exporters are represented on the shared 400 square metre VLAM stand in Hall 4.1. The numerous innovations on the VLAM stand include cherry plum tomatoes (Bellino), sweet mini peppers (Zuccherina), Flandria red chicory and blue potatoes (Vitelotte). (Hall 4.1, Stands A-06 to A-08. Contact: Paul Coenen, phone: +49.221.254857)
Styrian exhibitors celebrate 15 years at FRUIT LOGISTICA
OPST Obst Partner Steiermark GmbH celebrated its 15th anniversary at FRUIT LOGISTICA in a charitable way. Just days before the start trade fair opened, 300 kilograms of fresh apples donated by Styrian fruit farmers and presented to the Berlin Tafel food assistance programme by Apple Queen Elizabeth II. The Styrian company has been exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA since the very beginning. Marketing Manager Franz Schaden points out that the company with brands including "frisch-saftig-steirisch" (fresh-juicy-Styrian), Mozart and EVA is the only Austrian growers' organisation that has been approved in accordance with EU market regulations for the production of apples, pears and plums. With some 1,000 growers and an annual harvest of 120,000 tonnes, equivalent to around 75 percent of Austria’s total harvest, OPST is the country's market leader. Some 50 percent of the apples are exported and primarily sold by marketing organisation EVA GmbH. According to Schaden, the major players on the list of more than 20 export regions are Germany, the UK, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. The most popular varieties sold are Braeburn, Elstar, Gala, Golden Delicious, Idared and Jonagold. (Hall 2.1, Stand B-04. Contact: Franz Schaden, phone: +43.676.845430450)
Pineapples shoot up the popularity charts in Germany
Based on consumer prices, the fresh-produce market in Germany (excluding dairy products) achieved sales to the value of EUR 32 billion in 2006. According to the latest GfK study, that is around two per cent more than in 2005. 30 per cent of consumer spending on fresh produce in Germany is used to buy fruit, vegetables and potatoes. Unfavourable weather and harvest conditions led to supply bottlenecks of fresh fruit and vegetables – and especially potatoes – on the German market, leading to a big hike in consumer prices. Price increases of around six per cent for fruit and ten per cent for vegetables resulted in the anticipated decline in volumes of four per cent in both cases. The most popular fruit for private consumers are apples, taking a 24 per cent share, followed by bananas, accounting for 18 per cent of the market. These are followed by oranges, clementines, grapes, pears and strawberries. The GfK study indicates that sales of pineapples have shot up, making them the high flyers of the year in the fruit segment. With a 17 per cent share in the market, the leading position in vegetable sales is held by tomatoes, followed by carrots, salad cucumbers, onions, peppers and iceberg lettuce.
Atlanta: network for seamless process control and quality assurance
With its new Master Fruiterer training course, the Atlanta Fruit Academy is providing the food retail sector with an additional qualification for employees in the fruit and vegetable segment. Product and process safety are becoming increasingly important factors in the food trade. The company offers a reliable partnership through the combination of procurement by Direct Fruit Marketing (DFM) and the Germany-wide logistics network, provided by the trading and service centres. In close collaboration with preferentially certified producers and the trade sector, a network has been built up that guarantees seamless process control and quality assurance at all times. "Over the past few years, we have invested a great deal in food safety and quality management, and made significant improvements. In addition to the certification of our entire network of trading and service centres in Germany and Austria, we have significantly intensified the deployment of quality inspectors in imports and distribution. Our quality inspections go well beyond what is required by legislation and, in our view, represent an important step in the direction of food safety for our customers," according to Peter Jung, Chairman of the Management Board of the Atlanta Group. (Hal 4.1, Stand A-09. Contact: Torsten Brandt, phone: +49.421.3092270)
BVEO anticipates successful cooperation with potential suppliers
On a 1,400 square-metre display area shared with the Germany's leading producer organisations and institutions, the BVEO (German Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers) and the CMA (German Agricultural Marketing Board) will be exhibiting fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants. They will also demonstrating their quality assurance systems. According to BVEO Chairman Dr. Rolf Meyer, the German producer organisations are looking forward to positive changes in 2007. These include successful joint ventures with potential suppliers from other EU member states and third countries, allowing them to widen the ranges through outsourcing. Other points include the rapid completion of efforts to harmonise regulations relating to pesticide residues and permits in the EU, dialogue with individual trading companies on specific residue requirements and the speedy commencement of work to overhaul German pesticide legislation. "We are also anticipating a practicable outcome to dialogue about future disposal regulations for packaging, before the next packaging legislation amendment," stresses Karl Schmitz, a BVEO Director. (Hall 2.1, Stands B16 to D13. Contact: Dr. Markus Nthen, phone: +49.228.106325)
Fyffes introduces new corporate structure
On 5th December 2006, shareholders of Fyffes plc. approved the proposed spin-off of its Fresh Produce and Distribution business unit from the Tropical Fruits Procurement and Supply division, reports Inter Weichert Marketing Manager, Ralph Fischer. This demerger resulted in the creation of a new company, called Total Produce plc., whose shares have been traded on the London and Dublin stock exchanges since 2nd January 2007. As individual companies, Fyffes Tropical Produce and Total Produce now operate under separate boards of management and focus on their own respective business fields. Fyffes concentrates on the production, procurement, shipping, ripening, distribution and marketing of bananas, pineapples, and melons. These processes will continue to be handled by the company's comprehensive infrastructural network, primarily Fyffes of Ireland and the UK, Fyffes B.V. in Rotterdam, and Inter Weichert in Germany. Fischer says that with its produce distribution business at 90 locations in 14 countries and annual revenues of €2 billion, Total Produce plc. and its affiliates – including Capespan, Eurobanan, Everfresh, Hortim, Lembcke, Peviani, Total Produce Ireland, Rotterdam and UK – will become Europe's largest produce supplier. (Hall 5.1, Stand A-05. Contact: Ralph Fischer, phone: +49.171.7322277)
Fruit import company vanWylick building strategic partnerships
"In 2006, product safety and organically-grown foods were key market issues that brought new challenges for the fresh produce industry" says Jens Allerding, Sales Manager at Fruchtimport vanWylick GmbH. Although the company sold 5% more products in 2006, revenues remained unchanged at around €260 million. The vanWylick company anticipates a challenging market in 2007 characterised by organic and convenience product themes along with a demand for more product safety. This will demand further efforts in the areas of cost monitoring and quality control. "Our main objectives are to build up strategic partnerships in the area of procurement and develop a good customer balance between food retailers and the specialised trade" explains vanWylick CEO Dirk Allerding. "This will enable us to guarantee optimum market proximity and quality for our customers. At the same time, we can achieve a long-term improvement in our cost situation". On 1st January 2007, the company implemented a transparent database system to support its comprehensive quality management programme. The database promptly records proactively monitors information across the entire supply chain, from product, to supplier to customer. (Hall 5.1, Stand A-06. Contact: Dirk Allerding, phone: +49.175.2707775)
New-generation crates from IFCO SYSTEMS
IFCO SYSTEMS is introducing the first version in a new generation of crates at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The tenth model in the IFCO GREEN PLUS line, the IFCO 6408 adds a new entry-level product to the series, says Wolfgang Orgeldinger, Chief Operating Officer, IFCO SYSTEMS N.V. This new design comes with a number of improved details that will be gradually integrated into other IFCO models. The 6408 is fully compatible with other IFCO GREEN PLUS products making it easy for customers to changeover to the new design. With standard dimensions of 60 x 40 cm and a usable inside height of 8.3 cm, the new model is ideal for kiwi fruit, peaches, nectarines and other products with a maximum diameter of 80 mm. The crate is also ideal for a variety of bioproducts. The 6408 goes into production in May and will be gradually made available across Europe. FRUIT LOGISTICA is where IFCO SYSTEMS will also be introducing its functionally expanded applicator for selecting reusable containers. (Hall 2.1, Stand D-14. Contact: Stephanie Dallmann, phone: +49.151.12039191)
Residue testing in 12-hour laboratory analysis
HQL Hodorff Qualittslogistik GmbH opened a new logistics facility at the central market in Hamburg on 15 December 2006. This is one of Europe's most modern trans-shipment centres for temperature-controlled food. The CFL Consumers Fruit Laboratories GmbH is responsible for handling hygiene, quality and consumer protection at HQL. According to general manager director Rolf-Otto Wieckhoff, CFL offers on-site product inspection and laboratory services. This is an innovation in the logistics industry. The decisions in the approval process are based on the real-time results of the 12-hour analysis conducted by a high throughput lab. In line with consumer expectations, this makes it possible to check each delivery for pesticides and other residues. If the goods are contaminated in any way, the customer can have the shipment stopped and removed from the supply chain. Customers also have the option of taking out insurance that covers recall costs. CFL is represented at the Galab Laboratories GmbH display stand. (Hall 5.2, Stand D-11. Contact: Rolf-Otto Wieckhoff, phone: +49.171.6944161)
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