Speaking at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007, Israel's Minister of Agriculture Shalom Simchon commented: "The largest share of our fresh produce is shipped to Germany. The fact that our primary market is in Europe makes this trade exhibition extremely important for our exhibitors". According to Mr Simchon, export revenues for products shipped to Germany increased in 2006 by 10 million to total EUR 100 million. Israel is also producing more organic products. "We are increasing our investment in ecological agriculture – a valuable niche market", he added. Israel's fruit and vegetable growers are presenting two new products at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007. The Tiger Tomato with 7°Bx contains three-times more lycopene than a conventional tomato. Lycopene is a carotinoid that, according to experts, is one of the most potent natural antioxidants. A new variety of persimmon is also being presented at the exhibition. "The pulp of our Sharon fruit is much firmer and the fruit itself is sweeter", says Shlomo Tirosh, Managing Director of Carmel Agrexco. (Hall 3.2, Stand C-20. Contact: Shlomo Tirosh, phone: +972.3.5630900)
Del Monte with new exhibition display
Del Monte’s attractive new exhibition stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 is bright, open and friendly. Reinhard Hagemann, General Manager of Del Monte (Germany) GmbH is very pleased that the new stand concept is widely accepted by visitors. He is very satisfied with the first day of the trade fair, both with the quality and the quantity of trade visitors. According to Mr. Hagemann, all of the company's North European offices are present this year. "We have customers throughout Europe and everyone will find the right contact here. This something that many people are taking advantage of". The company's trade fair goals include building further contacts in Eastern Europe. FRUIT LOGISTICA is ideal for this purpose. Hagemann points out that the first delivery of Del Monte organic bananas from Brazil will be sent to Germany. He went on to say that the new shelf system for displaying fresh pineapple and juice concentrate are very popular with retailers because they attract attention and convey a clear message. The company has already received specific enquiries and the market launch is set to kick off after the trade fair. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-03. Contact: Olaf Ehlers, phone: +49.30.303887072)
Ukrainian Fruit Company to become regular exhibitor
"This is the most important trade fair for us, and not really comparable to any other event", says Denys Podkovyrov of the Ukrainian Fruit Company "We have our own stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the second time and are planning to be here every year in the future". The company imports fruit and a limited quantity of vegetables from around the world to the Ukraine and generated USD 127 million in sales last year. Berlin is where the company meets with existing business partners and establishes new contacts (Hall 6.2, Stand C-05. Contact: Denys Podkovyrov, mobile phone: +380.67.2428786)
Chiquita: Environmental protection and new convenience products
Chiquita is introducing new products at FRUIT LOGISTICA this year. "Chiquita Smoothie" fruit juice will be available in three different flavours. Ready-to-eat snacks include pineapple, melon and fruit salad. These new products will be launched on the European market in September. "In view of the growing interest in health and lifestyle throughout Europe, we feel it is important to give consumers the opportunity to increase their fruit consumption with more value-added, great-tasting convenience products", explains Chiquita Europe President Michael Loeb. The company is once again demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection at the trade fair. Chiquita is also presenting a pilot project sponsored by the GTZ, (German Agency for Technical Cooperation): a 100-hectare section of the Nogal Reserve tropical rainforest in Costa Rica will be integrated into a green corridor extending from Panama to Mexico. Chiquita is also using the opportunities at FRUIT LOGISTICA to meet business partners. "Talks are going great", says company spokeswoman Susanne Zangen (Hall 25, Stand A-05. Contact: Susanne Zangen, mobile phone: +49.163.5452538)
Berlin a good market platform for Chinese exhibitors
The FRUIT LOGISTICA is also becoming increasingly important for exhibitors from the People’s Republic of China. Eight companies are involved in the joint stand in Hall 5.2 organised by the China Chamber of Commerce. "This is our second time in Berlin", says Susana, Commercial Manager of the Jinxiang County Huaguang Food Import & Export Company. "This is a good place to meet our customers and establish new business contacts." This is also where a wide range of fruit and vegetables is on offer. (Hall 5.2, Stand D-07. Contact: Susana, mobile phone: +86.138.54778456)
Rich diversity from Spain’s orchards and vegetable gardens
With 311 exhibitors – 40 more than last year – Spain is the second-largest exhibiting country at this year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA. This powerful presence comes as no surprise. Spain is the second largest European fruit and vegetable producer after Italy. In 2005, Spain produced nearly 20 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables, amounting to 62% of the country's entire agricultural production and yielding sales of EUR 16.1 billion. Nearly half of the volume produced (over 9 million tonnes) was sold on export markets. A quarter of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports found their way to German consumers and another 20% to French consumers. Other buyers include the UK (14%) and the Netherlands (10%). The Scandinavian countries, Eastern Europe and especially Poland have become important buyers in recent years with shares of 4-5%. The major export crops include citrus fruits (over 3 million t per year), followed by tomatoes (nearly 1 million t), lettuce, capsicums and melons. Nearly 90% of vegetable exports are from the autonomous regions of Andalusia, Valencia, Murcia and the Canary Islands; 96% of fruit exports come from Andalusia, Valencia, Extremadura, Murcia and Catalonia. More than 600,000 people are employed in pre- and post-production in the Spanish fresh produce industry. Fruit and vegetables are grown on 10,000 hectares of land in accordance with organic farming guidelines; 95 businesses are committed to EurepGAP quality production on 25,000 hectares of land. The producers are represented at FRUIT LOGISTICA both under the auspices of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade ICEX and at the joint stands of the individual regions. (Hall 1.1, Stand A-14. Contact: Manuel Uzcanga, phone +49.30.303881253)
Georgia in search of new sales markets
Under the auspices of the AgVantage project financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development to support Georgia's economy, four companies from the former Soviet Bloc country are exhibiting at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. "In the past, our agricultural products were shipped to Russia", says Davit Jughashvili from AgVantage. "Following the Russian embargo on products from Georgia, we are in search of new sales markets. Our focus is on the EU and we feel confident that we can establish the most contacts here in Berlin". Two herb growers, one spice company and a processing and export specialising in tangerines are here at the trade exhibition to make contact with importers and distributors. (Hall 6.2, Stand C-11. Contact: Davit Jughashvili, mobile phone: +995.99.940974)
Ghana presents its products with twice as much stand space
The high level of success achieved at last year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA prompted Ghanaian fruit exporters to double their stand space this year and bring a much bigger team along to Berlin. As Stephen Mintah, General Manager of Sea Freight Pineapple Exporters of Ghana (SPEG) reports, the changeover to production of the MD2 pineapple variety developed in Central America for the European market, has moving ahead as planned. The MD2 pineapple accounts for 70 percent of the harvest and the changeover will be completed in one year. Along with traditional fruits, mangos and papayas will be marketed this year. At least one-third of exports are being shipped to Germany and the company is now in the process of tapping new markets in Eastern Europe. According to Mintah, some promising talks have already been held. (Hall 4.2, Stand E-08. Contact: Stephen Mintah, mobile phone: +233.24.237805)
Syngenta: Responding to consumer preferences
"German consumers want tomatoes that are somewhat sweeter. People in Mediterranean countries prefer a more acidic taste. Our aim is to satisfy different consumer preferences with innovative varieties", says Antonio Navarro, European Communication Manager for Fruity Crops at Syngenta Seeds S.A. It takes at least seven years of research and development before a new product is ready for market. This results, for example, in the deep-red "Donato" tomato that comes in a relatively square shape and has a 7-day shelf life. The tomato's firm pulp makes it ideal for salads or the popular Italian bruschetta. Or the "Solinda" watermelon, a convenient "single" melon that weighs maximum 2.5 kg and was purchased in 2005 by more than a million consumers in 13 European countries. According to Navarro, "This melon is as sweet as the core of conventional melons. That's why we call it 'Todo Corazn' (which means 100% heart)". Sales of the super-sweet melon trebled in 2006. Syngenta handles the research and seed production. Partner companies, including the Spanish cooperative Anecoop, manage production and sales of "Solinda" melons and other product innovations. (Hall 2.1, Stand A-11. Contact: Antonio Navarro, phone: +34.609.511987)
Debut at FRUIT LOGISTICA: Organic mushrooms from Mexico
"FRUIT LOGISTICA is important because it gives a chance to see what our competitors are doing. At the same time, our presentation helps increase customer confidence in our products", says Blanca Villarelo, Director of the Mexican Institute ASERCA. This organisation has been commissioned by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture to promote sales of the country's agricultural products. In its fifth year at the trade fair, Mexico is represented with a 20 companies. All of the standard export products are on display including Hass avocados (for which Mexico is the global market leader), grapefruits, seedless grapes and lemons. These products are primarily supplied to the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. For the first time, FRUIT LOGISTICA visitors will have a chance to experience the quality of Mexican organic mushrooms. "We are the first and currently the only company producing organic mushrooms in Mexico", claims Leoncio Mora, General Director of the BioPremium company based in Tehuacn in the state of Puebla. The company has been focusing on ecological mushroom production for five years. The ten participating growers supply 350 to 400 tonnes a year, all of which are painstakingly produced by hand without chemical pesticides or fertilisers. 50 employees, mostly Mexican women, are responsible for harvesting and processing the white and cream-coloured mushrooms. The USA has been the main buyer of fresh and dried organic mushrooms. However, Mora also regards Germany and Italy as potential markets for these healthy products. (Hall 25, Stand B-10. Contact: Leoncio Mora, Blanca Villarelo)
USA-pavilion bigger still
The USA-pavilion has once again increased its presence at the FRUIT LOGISTICA: While 2006 saw 13 main exhibitors represented at the 172 m2 joint stand, this year there are 18 main exhibitors covering an area of 267 m2, some of whom also represent a whole host of further companies. They present a cross-section of the wide range of fruit, vegetables, nuts and dried fruits produced in the USA. Sales representatives of various producer organisations provide in-depth product information and arrange contacts with other US suppliers. USA Pears, Cranberry Marketing Committee, Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers und PALM Nuts & More are among the regular exhibitors. New participants include Atwater Foods, CF Fresh, Evidencia, FQcode, Overlake Foods and Sunkist. Atwater Foods, for instance, sells dried fruits such as cherries, blueberries, cranberries and apples. CF Fresh presents various organic products including apples, pears, onions and garlic. And FQcode presents complete RFID 3D identification systems for radio-controlled identification of produce and merchandise. (Hall 25, Stands C-01, C-02 und D-05a. Contact: Christel Wagner, phone: +49.171.1781765)
Murcia stands out with "clean" agriculture
Speaking at the trade exhibition today, Ramn Luis Valcrcel, President of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, remarked: "Without FRUIT LOGISTICA, our products wouldn't be available in so many different corners of Europe". With an export market tradition dating back over more than a century, the region situated in the southeast Iberian peninsula is commonly know as the "Garden of Europe"; 73% of the vegetables grown there and 36% of the fruit is exported to key markets in Germany, France and the UK as well as to Japan and the USA. Exports in 2006 were valued at EUR 3.943 billion. The sun-drenched Mediterranean region is Europe's leading citrus fruit exporter. Some 20% of Spanish fresh produce exports come from Murcia – although with 11,317 square kilometres, the region accounts for only 2.2% of the country's total area. The "Agricultura Limpia – Clean Agriculture" project launched four years ago by the regional government is dedicated to biological pest control. More than 500,000 tonnes of the annual 1,776,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables produced in the region are organically grown. (Hall 1.1, Stand A-05 to A-10. Contact: Maria Teresa Torres, phone: +34.629.126315)
EUR 4 million campaign to improve children's nutrition
The European initiative "Fruitness Enjoy it" for healthier child nutrition was officially launched on 9th February at Fruit Logistica 2007. The initiative aims to promote the consumption of peaches, nectarines, kiwi fruit and pears with a total investment of EUR 4 million. More than 660 retail stores are involved in the campaign in Germany alone. The project was initiated by the European Commission, the service centre for Italian fruit and vegetable companies (Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli), the national agency for the promotion of agriculture (Agenzia per le Erogazioni in Agricultura) and the Italian ministry of agriculture. The initiative features the superhero Mr Fruitness, who battles fast food and soft drinks in the interactive computer game "The Adventures of Mr Fruitness". Around 15 per cent of children in the Federal Republic of Germany suffer from obesity. One cause is a diet deficient in fresh fruit. (Contact: Wiebke Glcibuk, phone: +49.30.400059914)
EurepGAP: Certification standard for "Good Agricultural Practice"
After two years of intensive discussions, EurepGAP presented the third version of its "Good Agricultural Practice Standard" to the international press on the opening day of the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007. EurepGAP is a private-sector quality assurance system which creates global standards for the certification of agricultural products. It is a partnership between producers and retailers, who have worked together to establish a certification standard for "Good Agricultural Practice". The EurepGAP standard covers all stages of production, from sowing to sale. This business-to-business certificate is not automatically available to consumers. However, it ensures that agricultural production is responsible and committed to food safety, the environment, social concerns and animal welfare. At the presentation, EurepGAP Secretary Dr. Kristian Mller said that 56 countries contributed to this third version with their input. Over 500 specialists were also involved. The results of more than 100 000 audits have gone into the paper. (Contact: Daniela Giesen, +49.221.5799333, giesen@foodplus.org)
Street markets attract new consumer groups
"Our new concept attracts 15 percent of the local residents back to the weekly street markets", explains Franz-Josef Sievers, Managing Director of the Hanover-based Attraktive Wochenmrkte GmbH. Since his company started coaching street market organisers in the Lower Saxony town of Duingen, people in the 35-50 age group have been returning to the marketplace as regular customers. The concept: Sievers' company organises street markets with at least 10 participants who are required to present one special offer each week. These specials are promoted in a flyer with a circulation of 4,000 copies. Local retailers are also invited to participate in the advertising campaign. Circulars are sent to all of the households in the local area to encourage families, younger people and other target groups to come to the street market. This street market concept developed by the Hanover-based company is one of the ten nominees for the FRUIT LOGISTICA INNOVATION AWARD 2007. (Hall 4.2, Stand E-13. Contact: Franz-Josef Sievers, phone: +49.172.5112839)
Malaysia: Square melons with a choice of logos
Bruce D. Milligan from Canada grows tropical fruit in Malaysia. His display at the Malaysian stand in Hall 6.2 is always surrounded by a flock of photographers. Bruce not only imported the idea of square watermelons from Japan, he also distributes yellow rockmelons in the unique flat-sided shape. These melons feature an engraved insignia that later appears on the outside of the ripened fruit. The melons that Milligan has on display at FRUIT LOGISTICA are marked with the Chinese fook symbol that stands for good luck. Two companies in Kuala Lumpur have already placed orders for fruit branded with their corporate insignias. A wide variety of tropical fruit is presented at the display stand. "We are planning to increase the volume of fruit we export to the EU and Eastern Europe", says Samah Hasan, Deputy Director General of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. Another objective is to increase international awareness of the "Malaysia’s Best" quality seal. According to Hasan, the trade exhibition in Berlin offers an ideal platform for this: "FRUIT LOGISTICA attracts people from all over the world". (Hall 6.2, Stand B-10. Contact: Bruce D. Milligan, mobile phone: +60.12.294-1280)
Red Flame – a unique pointed cabbage
Take the attractive colour of a red cabbage and add the sweetness and compactness of a pointed cabbage. Eh voil, a Red Flame. It is not quite so simple in real life, but the new pointed cabbage cultivation does indeed combine the virtues of both varieties. Weighing in at 600-1,000 g, they are lighter than red cabbages and hence suitable for consumption in small households also. Its red colour and sweet taste make it an ideal substitute for bitter radicchio in salads. The F1 hybrid Red Flame comes from the Dutch company Agrisemen in Breda. Red Flame is one of the ten products nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2007. (Hall 5.2, Stand C-19. Contact: Jack Burgers, phone: +31.651849449)
New post-harvest treatment from BASF
BASF is at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the second time and once again is presenting several innovative solutions. FreshSeal®, for instance, is an original post-harvest treatment for fruit and vegetables. The coating slows ageing by limiting respiration, thus prolonging shelf-life. In addition, FreshSeal® can reduce the need for waxes and protective packaging. Styroflex® represents a new generation of thermoplastic elastomers. With Styroflex® there are now more possibilities than ever in stretch packaging. The material's excellent elasticity and recovery properties break new ground. Ecoflex® and Ecovio® were developed specifically for applications in the field of flexible plastics. They are completely biodegradable. BASF’s eco-efficiency analysis is a strategic tool for the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of production concepts. All economical and ecological implications are thoroughly investigated with the end customer in mind. (Hall 25, Stand D-13. Contact: Anette Pohl, phone: +49.621.6028691)
Fresh flowers without water
Cut flower food, Dutch style: ’Windofresh’ is Dutch company Van der Windt’s packaging concept to prolong the life of cut flowers without any water. The flowers are put in a funnel with a special gel which is not only antibacterial, but also provides the flowers with nutrients and moisture, preventing cell degradation. Loes van der Toolen, Director of Export and Product Development at Van der Windt, emphasises the fact that the product is 100% natural and completely harmless. Advantages: Consumers don’t have to worry about the flowers drying out or getting wet themselves on the way home. Retailers don’t have to take care of the flowers. Their product is delivered in "retail ready packaging", i.e. ready-packed for display. "An international wholesaler which didn’t use to include any flowers in its product range now sells Windtofresh-packed flowers in ten German stores", Loes van der Toolen says, describing the success of her new product. Savings of 40-70 per cent can be made in the transport sector, as the flowers can be forwarded by sea rather than air. Windtofresh has been nominated for the Innovation Award 2007 at the FRUIT LOGISTICA. (Hall 5.2, Stand B-04. Contact: Loes van der Toolen, phone: +31.651.092323)
Bonduelle: Winter Mix is a bestseller
Following a corporate restructuring, Bonduelle Deutschland GmbH based in Reutlingen launched operations in January of this year, reports Market Manager Andreas Kuhnle. The range of products is divided into two segments: tinned vegetables and fresh mixed or single-variety salads. From a selection of more than 40 different products, 15 are being presented at FRUIT LOGISTICA and visitors are invited to try them. According to Kuhnle, the current bestseller is the Winter Mix, a varied blend of, for example, lamb's lettuce and radicchio packed in a 100g bag. "We have an excellent range of mixed salads", says Kuhnle. All of the lettuces is field-grown, and not produced in a hothouse or under foil. In the winter season, the fresh lettuce is shipped from Spain and packaged within 24 hours after harvesting. "In other words, the salads are absolutely fresh". Explaining the company's trade show concept, Kuhnle said that staff from the three subsidiaries in Germany, Italy and France are present at the exhibition stand. "This gives visitors a chance to become familiar with our full range of salad products sold in Europe". (Hall 6.2, Stand C-14. Contact: Andreas Kuhnle, phone: +49.151.17613479)
New products from Koppert Cress for the gourmet market
Seaweed – grown as cress – ultra-sweet Roma tomatoes and the "Venus" vase: Koppert-Cress B.V. from the Netherlands will be exhibiting a range of innovations for the kitchen at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "Gourmet restaurants are really enthusiastic about the mini-seaweed varieties", according to Marketing Manager Liesbeth Boekestein. With a Brix value of 13, the company’s Roma tomato could pass as a sweet. The Venus vase looks like a small pitcher. It is the pouch of the insectivorous Nepenthes plant (monkey cup), which can be used as an exotic container for sauces, soups or drinks. Koppert Cress has had a successful business year. Liesbeth Boekestein says: "Turnover has grown 35 per cent. Our main customers are based in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We even sell our products to hotels in the Emirate of Dubai.". (Hall 3.2, Stand C-14. Contact: Liesbeth Boekestein, phone: +31.638305163)
FRUIT LOGISTICA, a must for the Hamburg Sd Group
The Hamburg Sdamerikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft was established as stock corporation in 1871 by eleven Hamburg-based trading firms. Back then, the company's three 4,000 GRT steamships sailed monthly from Europe to Brazil and the Rio de la Plata. Today, the Hamburg Sd Group is one of the leading providers of worldwide ocean transportation and individual, single-source logistics solutions tailored to customer needs. The company has approximately 4,100 employees, operates 146 ships and deploys 204,000 containers. This year marks the company's fourth appearance at FRUIT LOGISTICA reports PR specialist Anja Vogt. She added that Hamburg Sd lines primarily serve Europe and South America. The company want to be in close proximity to South American exhibitors and is thus well-positioned in Hall 25, this year's Americas exhibition hall. "This trade fair is an absolute must for us", says Anja Vogt. "We want to highlight our presence here and present our wide range of services. We are definitely planning to be back again next year". (Hall 25, Stand B-03. Contact: Anja Vogt, phone: +49.40.37052285)
Trade fair premiere for Dalza Hungaria
Dalza Hungaria GmbH, a joint trading company owned by Hungarian production cooperatives Mrakert and Dlkertsz based in Szentes, was founded in September 2006. The two cooperatives supply around 70 tonnes of fresh produce, including bell peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, Chinese cabbage and apples. According to Dalza co-owner Jzsef Rcz, Managing Director of the production cooperative, this resulted in an additional EUR 45 million in extra earnings last year. The new trading company represents nearly 1,200 producers of the traditionally stable agriculture of the Csongrd Comitat and its surrounding area. Dalza has a total of more than 12,300 square metres storage space and 10,500 square metres of refrigerated and temperature-controlled space. According to Rcz, "Our aim is to coordinate the two companies’ product ranges and export fruit and vegetables worth around EUR 10 million". (Hall 5.1, Stand B-14. Contact: Istvn Ksz, phone: +36.62.580090)
Bulgaria returns to European markets with beefsteak tomatoes
"We are back on the European markets", announces Tanja Betscheva of the association of Bulgarian producer markets. Following some tough years of transformation in Bulgarian farming, tomato, cucumber, berry, plum and cherry production are now booming. "Many permanent crops have been replanted and are now yielding good harvests", says Betscheva. Buyers from England and Russia are reminded of the special quality of Bulgaria’s aromatic beefsteak tomatoes and other products. Understandably so, because Bulgaria enjoys 240 days of sunshine per year – ideal conditions for exceptional quality. Not only the quality is notable here, but also the sheer scale of activity. In the north of the country, some businesses have vegetable production areas as large as 1,000 hectares. (Hall 4.2, Stand C-02. Contact: Ms Tanja Betscheva, phone: +49.162.7463323)
Comprehensive changes ahead for Greek agriculture
More than 50,000 Greek fruit and vegetable growers are certified by quality standards agencies Agrocert and EurepGap. This includes the 23 exhibitors at the Greek national presentation featuring oranges, kiwis, tomatoes and sweet peppers at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. According to George Frangistas, Managing Director of Gefra, Greek agricultural products are gradually reaching a higher level of quality. Gefra harvests, packages and markets 40% of the citrus fruit, watermelons and Thomson seedless grapes grown in Greece. According to Frangistas, the fruit and vegetable market reform to be implemented by the EU this year will also help improve the quality of products from Greece. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-05. Contact: George Frangistas, phone: +30.210.9636380)
New Zealand – Kiwis coming to Middle East; new apple varieties soon to hit Europe
The New Zealand plant breeder, Nevis Fruit, is this year making a debut at FRUIT LOGISTICA as a producer of commercially grown apple and apricot innovations. The new Red Fizz and Molly varieties are already being grown in the United States, and the company now aims to offer them in Europe as well. The company’s range also includes four late apricot varieties, which can be harvested continuously from late July to early September. Zespri International, by contrast, markets its kiwis all year round: products from New Zealand are exported to the EU from late May to early December, following on with Italian and French-grown kiwis from December to March. In the intervening period – March to May – they originate in Chile. The aim of Jean-Louis Warnimont, Zespris Marketing Services Manager Europe, is to have no gaps on the world map: "We want to expand growing in France and the Hawke’s Bay and Nelson regions in New Zealand – all regions in which grapes are also grown. "Our major customers are in the United States, Europe and Scandinavia", Managing Director Tony Fissette reports. (Hall 4.2, Stand E-04. Contact: Steven Fox, phone: +1.509.8843488; Hall 4.1, Stand C-01. Contact: Andreas Borgers, +49.172.806606; Hall 4.2, Stand E-12. Contact: Tony Fissette, phone: +32.475721488)
Iran: Beautiful pomegranates
Three different varieties of pomegranates are being presented for the first time at the Iranian national stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The "Black" pomegranate has a mild taste, but due to its dark peel, it is primarily used for decoration purposes, says Jalal Khosroshahi, Managing Director of the Omid Nikan Co. Omid Nikan markets the pomegranates and processes them into fruit juice. The "Yellow" variety is shipped to Arab countries where the fruit pulp is favoured for its special sweetness. With a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavour, the "Red" pomegranate is regarded as the best variety. Around one million tonnes of pomegranates are produced in Iran, the fruit's country of origin. The world's leading importer of pomegranates is Korea (7,500 t per year) where, according to Khosroshahi, the fruit is regarded as a "fountain of youth". Some 20,000 tonnes of pomegranates are shipped to the EU. 4,000 tonnes are sold in Germany. (Hall 6.2, Stand B-22. Contact: Jalal Khosroshahi, phone: +98.21.887078169)
Anecoop: black seedless water melon on the horizon
The Spanish cooperative, Anecoop, has good cause for celebration at this year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA: the cooperative has now been supplying its almost seedless Bouquet water melon for 15 years. Marketing Executive Piedad Coscoll is excited about the latest Anecoop development. "This year, in addition to the traditional light green striped variety with yellow or red flesh, we’ll be offering a black skinned variety." The "Solinda" mini-melon, introduced two years ago, has already won consumers over – it is not just almost seedless and very sweet but, with an average weight of 1.8 kg, is ideal for the modern family. Despite all the different varieties, however, melons are just one of the core products of the Valencia-based cooperative, which was established in 1975. There are 98 cooperatives in various regions of the country, each with 2,000 to 3,000 farmers. Between them, they produce more than 600,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually. At more than 300,000 tonnes, citrus fruit takes the lion’s share, followed by around 150,000 tonnes of grapes. In 2005, the largest Spanish cooperative, which has customers in more than 50 countries, generated sales of EUR 386.4 million. (Hall 1.1, Stand A-15. Contact: Piedad Coscoll, phone: +34.609-660739)
Serbia: Mushrooms from the forest, apples from the Roman Empire days
Serbia is currently experiencing a boom in fruit exports, especially apples. Predrag Sladojevi, advisor to the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture explains: "Exports in 2005 rose by 226% over 2004". The majority of exports are shipped to Russia. In the past year, Serbia exported 11,000 tonnes of fruit to the European Union. One of the key export products is characterised by quality and ecological growth: "We export around 1,000 tonnes of mushrooms a year. All are cultivated in our forests", explains Sladojevi. The Serbian fruit industry grows apples that can be genetically traced back to the days of the Roman Empire. For the first time, fairgoers will have a chance to sample the exotic-sounding Kablarka, Budimka, Kozara and Shumatovka varieties. "With its slight acidity of 2.5 percent, the Budimka variety is ideal for apple juice", explains Remer Lane, advisor to the USAID sponsored Serbia Enterprise Development Project. (Hall 05.2, Stand A-04. Contact: Remer Lane, phone: +318.11.3020740)
Australian Fresh – Premium white products from down under
According to Wayne Prowse, Portfolio Manager for the Australian Fresh marketing association, "We've moved from number 10 to the number 3 position for white nectarines and peaches. This makes us very happy". The European market has become extremely important for Australian fruit growers. Although the lion's share (EUR 455 million) of the EUR 650 million in annual sales is generated in Asian markets, Europe is rapidly gaining importance for marketing premium products. Accounting for 10% of total sales, the European market is second only to the U.S. market where Australian fruit growers currently sell 15% of their products. In the winter season from October to March, products from Australia give Europe a virtually year-round supply of light and dark plums, peaches and nectarines. (Hall 4.2, Stand C-08. Contact: Wayne Prowse, phone: +61.408164966)
Ireland: Keelings Group meets with suppliers in Berlin
"This is our third year at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The opportunity to meet with all of our suppliers in Berlin helps us save money on annual travel expenses", says Margaret Keddy from the Keelings Group in Ireland. The company's different business divisions ranging from fruit and vegetable production to import and trading of agricultural products from foreign countries, and logistics, employ some 1,350 workers. The Keeling Group generates more than EUR 300 million in annual sales. (Hall 1.1, Stand B-13. Contact: Margaret Keddy)
Sugar snaps from Zimbabwe
Sugar snap peas (mangetout) from Zimbabwe are a favourite among modern gourmets. In order to secure a steady supply of sugar snaps, Melody Grobbelaar from the British marketing company Constantia International Limited based in Guildford is at FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin to search for new suppliers of this popular speciality. With branch offices in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa, Constantia Limited has been in business for nearly 20 years. The company primarily supplies markets in the UK and continental Europe. (Hall 5.2, Stand C-20. Contact: Melody Grobbelaar, phone: +44.7921833005)
Koper: The Mediterranean's northernmost port celebrates 50 years
"Koper is the gateway to Central Europe" says Rok Stemberger from the Slovenian port management company Luka Koper. Indeed, Koper is the Mediterranean's northernmost port. Markets in Austria, Hungary and Southern Germany can be quickly accessed from here via rail or lorry. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the harbour added a new fruit terminal in 2006 with a 450m pier. A computer-controlled system in the new 2,000 sqm storage facility keeps perishable goods cool and moist. Luka Koper also offers services ranging from banana ripening and packaging to quality control. (Hall 4.2, Stand D-03. Contact: Rok Stemberger, phone: +38.641794703)
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