Updated press information from FRUIT LOGISTICA 2008 is available online free of charge (www.fruitlogistica.com/pressservice/):
· Brief reports on events at the show
· Detailed press reports in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish
· Current press photographs in 14 categories
· Footage for TV and online editors
· Radio reports and quotes
· Overview of all press events
Contents
Murcia committed to "clean farming". 2
European debut for Australian "lemon caviar". 2
Baby cauliflower and savoy cabbage from Syngenta. 3
Argentina captures the Russian market 3
Bloemenbureau Holland presents its Top Ten concept 3
Mr. Fruitness battles childhood obesity. 4
New marketing partnership between GFI and Sopexa. 4
Padova wholesale market looks to China and India as future export destinations. 4
Luis Vicente intends to develop new markets for Portuguese fruit 5
Edible flowers will soon arrive by ship from Israel 5
Apples from Canada: Export potential in Europe. 6
China: Honey-sweet pomelos are a bestseller in Germany. 6
Peru sees excellent prospects for seedless grapes. 6
Extremadura: Transparent production for discerning German customers. 7
Australia is looking for new markets for fruit and nuts. 7
Mashamba: Using the trade show as a test market for Uganda. 7
Belgium is the leading exporter of leeks and Confrence pears. 8
Iran: Exports of premium pomegranates doubled. 8
ZESPRI: Focus on kiwi fruit 8
Veneto welcomes culinary tourism.. 9
Poland: Promoting Ligol apples. 9
Nord-Pas de Calais: The number one producer of chicory in France. 9
Holland's Best Fresh Group sells kiwis with red hearts. 10
Chiquita highly successful with FRESH CONVENIENCE. 10
BRO: Modern lighting concepts for greater turnover 10
Patented slicing machines by KRONEN.. 11
Frugi Venta: Fresh Corridor for ship transport 11
Vetter Holding GmbH becoming a full-service provider 11
Press events scheduled for Saturday, 9 February 2008. 12
Murcia committed to "clean farming"
The Spanish region of Murcia is taking advantages of the opportunities at FRUIT LOGISTICA to promote its reputation as the "Garden of Europe". Some 48,000 hectares of vegetables, 38,000 hectares of citrus fruits and 30,000 hectares of stone fruits are grown in the region. Located in the southeast of the country, Murcia covers an area of just over 11,000 km2 – 2.2% of the total area of Spain – and is the country’s second largest fruit and vegetable producer after Andalucia. Fruit and vegetables account for 36% of the region’s agricultural exports with an export volume of EUR 1.58 billion. Germany has traditionally purchased 40% of the region’s vegetable exports and 50% of fruit exports, making it Murcia’s key trading partner. The "clean farming" project was introduced five years ago by the regional government in order to meet the demands of discerning European customers. 8,000 hectares of citrus fruits and the entire greenhouse capsicum production are already subject to these guidelines, which focus on biological pest control. The ministry intends to spend over EUR 10 million on the programme until 2010, said Murcia’s Minister of Agriculture Antonio Cerd, speaking today at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "For us, there is no better showcase in Europe for our fresh, healthy and natural produce than FRUIT LOGISTICA. This is where all the producers and processers meet", the minister said.
(Hall 18, Stands A-18 to A-23 and C-19 to C-23. Contact: Dr. Miguel Merino. Tel. +49-(0)-175-7178173)
European debut for Australian "lemon caviar"
A fruit from the Australian rainforest is creating a stir at FRUIT LOGISTICA. James Boyd is presenting the trendy finger limes in Europe for the first time. He began cultivating the unusual citrus plant (citrus australasica) 12 years ago and is now presenting 8 of the 70 varieties discovered so far. The fruit of these small trees which grow to a height of up to three metres are similar in appearance to miniature cucumbers. The pulp has a tangy lime taste and resembles salmon caviar, and almost every variety has a different colour, ranging from white to a deep red. It contains ten times as much Vitamin C as classic lemons and may be used in salads and cocktails or as a wonderful accompaniment to seafood, Boyd says. Potential customers include 5-star hotels and exclusive restaurants, as the price, too, is reminiscent of caviar. The Finger Liming Good Pty Ltd. plantation in New South Wales currently grows 20,000 trees and will produce just four tonnes this year, a figure which is to be doubled each year from now on. This is outweighed by demand even at the trade fair alone.
(Hall 10.2, Stand B-04. Contact: Gunjan Tandan, mobile:+61-(0)-430-366233. James Boyd. Tel. +61-(0)-2-66897444, e-mail: info@fingerlime.com)
Baby cauliflower and savoy cabbage from Syngenta
Syngenta Seeds-Vegetables is following the popular trend for bite-sized fruit and vegetables at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Sliced Solinda watermelon, baby cauliflower, baby savoys and the "tasty new Kumato tomato" are designed to suit consumers’ tastes, explains Antonio Navarro, Marketing Communications Manager, Vegetables EAME. Syngenta Seeds generated USD 8.1 billion in sales last year, and with 21,000 employees in 90 countries it is one of the leading companies specialising in high-grade seeds and high-quality crop protection. "We are confident that good taste and a healthy diet can improve the quality of life", Navarro contends. To prove this point, Dutch master chef Anglique Schmeick will be at the company's exhibition stand cooking healthy, low-calorie dishes with Syngenta products.
(Hall 21, Stand C-03. Contact: Antonio Navarro. Tel. +34-(0)-950-339027, mobile: +34-(0)-609511987, e-mail: antonio.navarrio@syngenta.com)
Argentina captures the Russian market
Russia has emerged as a key buyer for fruit exports from Argentina. 25% of the 400,000 tonnes of pears and 200,000 tonnes of apples exported by the country in 2006 were destined for the Russian market, with as much as 40% of the 300,000 tonnes of exported citrus fruits reaching Russian consumers. "Argentina is the global market leader in pear exports and number two for citrus fruits", says Patricio Pizzoglio of Fundacin Exportar, the Argentinian organisation for the promotion of exports. And exports continue to grow: Argentina shipped nearly 1.6 million tonnes of fresh produce in 2007, a substantial increase over the 720,000 tonnes exported in 2000. In addition to pome fruit and drupes as the traditional exports, the 50 Argentinian exhibitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA will be presenting their new export bestseller: blueberries, which already achieve annual sales of over 7,000 tonnes. Around 95% of blueberry production is earmarked for export markets. Organic apples and pears are sold almost exclusively to Europe.
Bloemenbureau Holland presents its Top Ten concept
The Netherlands’ flower agency is presenting new marketing and sales concepts for flower suppliers and producers at FRUIT LOGISTICA. According to Michiel de Jong, Bloemenbureau Holland’s Area Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the most popular flowers, plants and wines could be presented in a special supermarket section, much like Top Ten sections in bookstores. Customers could select a combination of items for a gift or a special something to take to a dinner party. The "Table Talk" concept has the potential to reach a large clientele in German supermarkets, where only 10 to 15% of flowers are sold, as opposed to 60% in Great Britain. "It is still a challenge to convince German supermarket buyers to include more flowers in their product range. They have yet to really address this concept", de Jong says. He hopes to change this, not only at FRUIT LOGISTICA.
(Hall 3.2, Stand B-13. Contact: Michiel de Jong. Tel. +31-(0)-71-5659565, mobile: +31-(0)-653248886, e-mail: m.de.jong@flowercouncil.org)
Mr. Fruitness battles childhood obesity
Speaking at a FRUIT LOGISTICA press conference on Friday, Dr. Margherita Caroli, in charge of the European Childhood Obesity Group, reported that the number of European children suffering from obesity rises by 1.2 million each year. By 2010, more than 26 million children will be affected. This leads to high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty degeneration of the liver and other diseases occurring in younger age children. Encouraging children to eat more fruit is of vital importance, she said. One step in the right direction is the EU-sponsored Mr. Fruitness campaign which was initiated in 2007 by the Italian Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli (CSO), owner of 50 of Italy’s largest fruit and vegetable producers. The EUR 4 million project will run for three years and shows children in Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Poland and Sweden the healthy alternative to conventional junk food in a playful manner with the figure of a green superhero whose strength derives from fruit consumption. 3,169 chain supermarkets throughout the five countries have already taken part in promotions, and the website www.fruitness.eu has been visited more than 350,000 times. The second phase of the Mr. Fruitness campaign gets underway with an initiative at Cologne primary schools followed by expansion into fruit retail. "Our objective is to achieve the World Health Organisation recommended consumption of 400 grams of fruit per day", says CSO President Paolo Bruni.
(Hall 2.2, Stand A-03. Contact: Elena Vincenzi. Tel. +39-059-7863894)
New marketing partnership between GFI and Sopexa
The GFI association of German Wholesale Markets and Sopexa Deutschland, the APLE-run (Association Pink Lady® Europe) agency for communications and promotion, are working together to create a new marketing partnership. From 5-14 February, around 50 Pink Lady promotions are being staged simultaneously at farmers’ markets in Berlin, Bremen, Dsseldorf, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Mannheim and Munich. "We are delighted to have found a central point of contact for the apple promotions with GFI", says Julien Droubay, Head of Sopexa Deutschland’s food division. "The farmers’ markets with their quality-conscious clientele afford a marketing environment with a strong focus on sensory appeal and expertise. This is just the right environment in which to win customers over with the outstanding quality and taste of Pink Lady® apples". The GFI is in charge of the overall planning and coordination of the initiatives. Detailed planning and the involvement of local marketing partners is up to the individual GFI wholesale markets in each of the nine cities.
Padova wholesale market looks to China and India as future export destinations
The Padova wholesale market welcomes guests attending FRUIT LOGISTICA at a stand modelled after the historic Caff Pedrocchi. Together with its partners, including the local chamber of commerce and the Export Promotion Agency, the wholesale market aims to support the six represented import-export companies. Fruit and vegetables worth a total of some EUR 350 million were sold last year at the Mercato AgroAlimentare Padova (MAAP), reports General Manager Francesco Cera. Over the past three years, sales have soared by an impressive annual rate of six%. Nearly half the goods are destined for export, with an increasing amount going to Eastern European countries. Exporters have specialised in combining products from Italy and third countries on pallets for supermarkets at locations like Moscow and Tallinn. "Last year, our dealers at FRUIT LOGISTICA were able to make direct import agreements with producers from Chile. This makes them independent of large middlemen and allows for lower prices", says Cera. The general manager sees potential future markets both in Europe and abroad. He anticipates that North Africa, particularly Libya and Dubai, will play an important role over the coming years. He adds that in five to eight years India and China could also become major export destinations.
(Hall 2.2, Stand D-04. Contact: Francesco Cera. Tel. +39-(0)-498-692111, e-mail: info@maap.it)
Luis Vicente intends to develop new markets for Portuguese fruit
Last year, the Portuguese Luis Vicente Group announced the launch of its new "plump" brand at FRUIT LOGISTICA; now it is presenting the entire range of products. While subsidiaries in Brazil and Costa Rica are producing mangos, papayas, bananas and melons for the Portuguese market, Rocha pears, apples, peaches and nectarines from Portugal are primarily shipped to Great Britain and Canada. Luis Vincente annually exports some 12,000 tonnes of fruit from Portugal, according to Paulo Ramos, the company's commercial manager. In addition to Germany and Italy, future target markets include Scandinavia and Eastern European countries.
"Our major advantage is our location directly on the equator. The many hours of sunshine ensure the top quality of our fruit", says Jos Camposano from the Export and Investment Corporation of Ecuador, Corpei. Eighteen exhibitors are presenting their tropical fruit at FRUIT LOGISTICA under the slogan "Ecuador – calidad de origin" ("Ecuador – natural quality"). In addition to mangos, papayas, passion fruit, guava and physalis, this year exhibitors are displaying pitahayas for the first time. This exotic fruit with a thick yellow skin, white fruit pulp and black seeds is still unfamiliar to most consumers, but it is full of vitamins and contains large amounts of iron, phosphorus and calcium. Bananas remain the leading export product of the Ecuadorian fruit sector. With annual sales of over four million tonnes – the equivalent of approximately 250 million boxes – and revenues of $1.2 billion in 2007, the South American country is the world's market leader. Three out of ten bananas consumed worldwide come from Ecuador. At the same time, demand for organic bananas continues to rise. Currently, 16,000 ha of the 200,000 ha on Ecuadorian banana plantations are already certified for organic cultivation, and the acreage increases annually by 15%. The main purchasers are Europe and the USA. "We use FRUIT LOGISTICA not only to find new buyers but to prepare companies who have only produced for the domestic market for the challenges of the export sector", explains Camposano.
(Hall 25, Stand A-16. Contact: Jos Antonio Camposano. Tel. +49-(0)-173-7456169, e-mail: jcamposa@corpei.org.ec)
Edible flowers will soon arrive by ship from Israel
This year, for the first time in five years, fruit and vegetable exports from Israel will decline. A five-day period of frost in mid-January has caused a 25-percent crop failure in the Mediterranean country, says Malchi Malinovitch, Vice President of the Carmel Agrexco Produce Group. He adds, however, that growers are planting again to harvest later than planned and make up for a significant proportion of the losses. Carmel Agrexco markets products by Israeli growers and generates 70% of the country's fresh produce sales, which reached EUR 610 million last year, according to Malinovitch. The company gives top priority to reducing CO2 emissions during transport: "We transport nearly all our products in ships that we've designed ourselves. Only the majority of the strawberries and edible flowers are currently still transported by air freight", says Malinovitch.
Almost all exports of fruit and vegetables from Canada are destined for the USA and Mexico. In Europe only Great Britain has played a major role up to now. The Empire variety, a cross between a Red Delicious and a Canadian McIntosh, is particularly in demand there. "There aren't many red apples in Europe", is how Ken Martin from Martin's Fruit Farm explains the high degree of British interest. He represents one of the four companies at the stand of the Ontario Apple Growers (OAG), which is seeking new business contacts at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "Eastern Europe could develop to become a new market", says his colleague, Thomas M. O’Neill from the Norfolk Growers Association.
(Hall 23, Stand A-04. Contact: Thomas M. O’Neill. Mobile: +1-519-4278500, Ken Martin, mobile:+1-519-4654972)
China: Honey-sweet pomelos are a bestseller in Germany
The Jining Sanlong Vegetable and Fruit Co., Ltd. is presenting its top export, the "Honey Pomelo". "It's larger, its skin is thinner, and with a Brix value of 14, it's much sweeter than the fruits from the Mediterranean region that are a back-cross with a grapefruit", explains company co-owner Mike Su when asked about the fruit's advantages. In Europe the honey-sweet grapefruit-like fruit is a hit among consumers. In 2007, the company exported 7,650 tonnes, twice as much as the previous year, with 30% alone going to the German market, says Su. The firm presented the fruit at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time in 2003. In the Chinese province of Shandong, south of Beijing, growers also cultivate garlic, chestnuts, pears and ginger for the company on approx. 1,000 ha. According to the co-owner, China is the world's largest producer of garlic. Growers sell most of their garlic crop to European buyers because "it is inexpensive, has an appealing appearance and excellent taste", says Su.
(Hall 5.2, Stand D-04. Contact: Mike Su. Tel. +86-(0)-537-2907579, mobile: +86-(0)-137-05376827, e-mail: mikesu@sanlong.cn)
Peru sees excellent prospects for seedless grapes
"Actually, we thought we'd reached the limit. But last year we were able to boost our asparagus exports by another 15% to EUR 222 million", says Eduardo Talavera from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture. Peru is the largest asparagus exporter in the world. But the seven individual companies and six growers' associations exhibiting under the auspices of the Commission for the Promotion of Peru (Promperu) at FRUIT LOGISTICA have a whole lot more to offer: mangos and citrus fruit, avocados and bananas, strawberries, sweet potatoes, onions, sweet peas and grapes. Talavera sees excellent prospects for seedless grapes: "There's an enormous market potential here, especially in Western European countries like France, Holland and Germany. And we want to conquer the market, as long as no one else has occupied it". Nevertheless, a good deal of developmental work still needs to be done. Whereas the Red Globe variety, which is especially popular in Southern Europe, yields over 30 tonnes per hectare, seedless varieties such as Thompson and Flame barely produce half that amount. The main buyers for Peruvian fresh products are Europe and the USA. Talavera is primarily interested in winning over new customers from the Middle East at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "We anticipate making deals worth over $50 million at the trade show", says the ministerial representative.
Extremadura: Transparent production for discerning German customers
Last year, Germany imported fruit and vegetables worth EUR 53 million from Extremadura. This makes Germany one of the largest economic partners for the fresh produce sector in this region of south-western Spain, second only to neighbouring Portugal. "Trade relations with Germany become more important every day", says Mara Dolores Aguilar, Vice President for economic affairs at the region's foreign trade association. Germany is an extremely demanding market in terms of quality and product safety. This has prompted Extremadura to adhere to strictly controlled production methods. Growers have introduced integrated cultivation procedures and a traceability system from planting to packaging. Local growers have also expanded their organic farming acreage. The nearly 1,000 fresh fruit producers of the Afruex growers' association, which represents over 90% of the fruit farmers in the region, is participating in the first Europe-wide project for marketing organically grown stone fruit. Afruex President Antonio Chavero sees the strong market influence of discount chains as the leading challenge for the German market: "It's important for us to enhance the relationship built on trust that we have with our customers. At the same time, we want to penetrate new markets, especially in Eastern Europe", explained Mara Dolores Aguilar, when asked why the region is taking part in the trade show. The producers from Extremadura are presenting their entire range of pomaceous and stone fruit production at their joint stand in Hall 17.
(Hall 17, Stand A-06-07 and C-08. Contact: Marisol Hurtado. Tel.+49-(0)-179-7566641 )
Australia is looking for new markets for fruit and nuts
Australia currently exports only 20% of the fruit and vegetables that it produces. The lion's share does not go to countries in the Far East but rather to Europe, says Wayne Prowse, Export Development Manager of the Horticulture Australia Limited marketing organisation. Macadamia nuts and almonds make up over a third of the export volume of EUR 65 million. Germany is the main buyer, with Pink Lady apples and other fruit like peaches and nectarines primarily sold to Great Britain and France. Australia has been exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the past seven years, and this year six companies are represented at the joint stand. "We meet both old and new customers and see what the rest of the world is doing", says Prowse. He sees new market opportunities in Scandinavia and Eastern European countries.
Mashamba: Using the trade show as a test market for Uganda
This is the first time that the Mashamba Group from Uganda is exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Based on their own three farms and a large network of associated farms, the three companies in the group organise the entire production chain, from fruit and vegetable cultivation to sales and transport, explains Managing Director James Kanyije. The majority of exports are shipped to Great Britain, where hot chilli peppers and Matoke plantains are the top-selling items. "But we also see a growing market for green chilli peppers", says Kanyije. The range of produce also includes sweet potatoes, aubergines, bananas, avocados, okra and gunda fruit.
(Hall 5.2, Stand C-04. Contact: James Kanyije. Tel. +256-0772-748799)
Belgium is the leading exporter of leeks and Confrence pears
Belgium annually produces a million tonnes of fresh vegetables, 700,000 tonnes of which are destined for export, says Paul Coenen, head of the VLAM office in Germany. In addition, the country annually exports two million tonnes of fruit, 800,000 tonnes of potatoes and a million tonnes of potato products. Coenen: "Belgium is the world's leading exporter of leeks and Confrence pears". Flanders on the North Sea coast is the closest cultivating area for many regions in Germany. Every year, Germany purchases from Flanders 200,000 tonnes of fresh vegetables, including 80,000 tonnes of tomatoes, 30,000 tonnes of head lettuce and 20,000 tonnes of leeks. There are 55 vegetable varieties marketed with the Flandria quality seal. "Annual sales of 450,000 tonnes make Flandria the leading fresh vegetable brand in Europe", says Coenen. He says that the Flandria seal stands for controlled integrated cultivation according to "approved agricultural practices". Only E or A class products may be sold with the label, which ensures quality and environmental & food safety from family businesses. On top of that, 40 specialties are sold with the "Flandria Specialty Street" logo.
(Hall 12, Stand A-03. Contact: Paul Coenen. Tel. +49-(0)-221-254857, e-mail: paul.coenen@vlam.be)
Iran: Exports of premium pomegranates doubled
ranian grower and exporter Sepid Nima is exhibiting his highly coveted "Sarah Pome" variety of pomegranates for the first time at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. "We exported 150 tonnes to Europe in 2006", said Ali Karam Barangi, the many in charge of marketing the fruit in Europe. "This quantity more than doubled in 2007". Barangi cited the fruit’s advantages, including its high antioxidant content and a Brix level of 19, making it much sweeter than the pomegranates grown in Spain, Israel or Egypt. He said that the growing popularity of the fruit in Europe has caused Korean and Japanese markets to lose their status as primary importers. Interest in the fruit is also unexpectedly high at FRUIT LOGISTICA: "The number of queries we’ve had here is unbelievable", Barangi said cheerfully. Sepid Nima is the first Iranian company to be awarded the Tesco Nature’s Choice certification.
(Hall 10.2, Stand A-08. Contact: Ali Karam Barangi. Tel. +98-(0)-21-88454436, mobile: +98-(0)-921-5366255, e-mail: hossein@sepidnima.com)
ZESPRI: Focus on kiwi fruit
"We’ve invited our customers to FRUIT LOGISTICA and we’re looking forward to some valuable discussions with them", said Jean-Louis Warnimont, Marketing Manager for Europe at ZESPRI, at the start of the 3-day trade fair. He’s expecting customers from all over Europe, including Belgium, Holland, France and Great Britain, as well as visitors from the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates. The world market leader in kiwi fruit supplies more than 3 billion kiwis each year to 60 countries. The company's 230 employees procure and market three varieties of kiwi – ZESPRI GREEN, GREEN ORGANIC and GOLD – from 4,000 growers around the world. Key exporting countries for kiwis sold in Europe are New Zealand, Italy, France and Chile. The countries that import the most ZESPRI kiwis are Spain, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Warnimont noted that discount stores now account for 50% of the sales of fruit and vegetables, with the remaining 50% sold by supermarkets, grocery stores and specialty shops. This also applies to kiwi fruit.
Germany is our most important sales market. At the same time, Germans make up a major share of the 60 million tourists who visit our province each year", said Walter Brunello, Director of the Department of Tourism and Food Marketing for the Italian region of Veneto. Many of the visitors come to enjoy the region’s culinary highlights. For the past five years, representatives from Veneto have been coming to FRUIT LOGISTICA to promote the high quality of regional fruit and vegetable products among trade professionals from all over the world. The convenience segment continues to gain importance and the interest shown by regional growers is high: We consistently have a waiting list of companies that want to join us in Berlin", Brunello said. He sees new market opportunities in the USA and East Asia.
(Hall 2.2, Stand C-07. Contact: Walter Brunello. Tel. +39-041-2795455)
Poland: Promoting Ligol apples
Some 30 exhibitors from Poland are exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA this year. Sun-Sad is a co-op organization exhibiting at Poland's joint stand in Hall 1.2. The group was formed in 1997 and currently includes 15 fruit growers, according to Marcin Lis, a farmer and member of Sun-Sad. The co-op growers produce 12,000 tonnes of fruit each year on 400 hectares of farmland. Mr Lis points out that around 60% percent of the crops are GlobalGAP certified. Apples make up 90% of the total volume, 5% are pears and the rest are cherries and plums. Poland, with an annual production of 2.5 million tonnes, is Europe’s leading producer of apples. The 10 main varieties include Idared, Sampion, Jonagored, Golden Delicious and the two Gala apples Royal and Must. Ligol is a Polish variety that was created about 20 years ago. Sweet, very juicy and flavourful, this apple is well-known in Poland. The exhibitors are promoting Ligol at the trade fair in an effort to boost its popularity. The number one apple is the Idared, which accounts for a 20% share of total production. Polish apples are sold across Europe, primarily in Germany, France and Great Britain, but also in Russia and the Baltic countries.
(Hall 1.2, Stand A-03. Contact: Marcin Lis. Tel. +48-661-4133, e-mail: marcin@sadownicy.pl )
Nord-Pas de Calais: The number one producer of chicory in France
The combined force of French vegetable producers is being presented in Hall 22. Nord-Pas de Calais, France's most northerly region, produces 1.7 million tonnes of potatoes – or about one-third of the total domestic output – in an area covering less than 46,000 hectares. In terms of chicory production, the region's harvest of more than 137,000 tonnes makes 58% of the national total. One of the featured varieties is the premium Perle du Nord, 30,000 tonnes available for purchase this season. Aiming at German consumers, the French have packed their quality chicory in 500-gram nets in addition to the one- or two-kilo stay-fresh bags. The port town of Dunkirk on the Channel coast is making its debut appearance at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Over the past few years, Dunkirk has become France's most important port of entry for fruit. Last year alone, it handled 57.11 million tonnes of goods, figures that put Dunkirk in third place overall behind Marseille and Le Havre among French sea ports.
(Hall 22, stand D-08, E-03 to E-08, F-07 to F13. Contact: Vanessa Feneuil. Tel. +33-(0)-321-605786; e-mail: agroalimentaire-npdc.com )
Holland's Best Fresh Group sells kiwis with red hearts
The former Valstar Group is present at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time under its new name: the Best Fresh Group. Each of the ten companies in the group has considerable skills in its respective segment, explains Fleur Vreugdenhil, and they import goods from around the globe. For instance, Jin-Jin GmbH has acquired six varieties of pears from China, some of which look like apples and have a crunchy consistency. "We're also the only company to import kiwis with a red heart that are even sweeter than the regular varieties", the marketing and communication expert adds. Valstar Holland are master growers of hothouse tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines, while Fruit World Breda specialises in berries. Globally, the Best Fresh Group generates combined export turnover of 240 million euros, with Germany and Britain each accounting for 15% of the total. The group exports worldwide to locations as far away as Hong Kong and Dubai.
In 2007 Chiquita Germany was extremely successful in introducing the FRESH CONVENIENCE portfolio of smoothies and ready-to-eat sliced fruit throughout Germany. In no time at all, the company's three smoothie variations had cornered 14.5% of the market (week 48/2007), putting Chiquita at the pinnacle of the dynamic smoothie market. The company now wants to build on its success by expanding its range, adding new flavours and innovative products for new consumption categories while still upholding its premium quality. The new smoothie flavours unveiled at the trade fair included raspberry-pomegranate and coconut-mango. From about June 2008, two successful flavours of the existing range will go on sale in 750-millilitre bottles. All FRESH CONVENIENCE products are made entirely from pure, fresh fruit. No industrial intermediaries, concentrates or additives are used. Chiquita is also releasing a new banana: the Mini, a junior banana intended to inject a bit of variety to consumption volumes.
( Hall 25, stand C-07. Contact: Mignon Lahaye. Tel. +49-(0)-203-3484980, e-mail: info@chiquita.de )
BRO: Modern lighting concepts for greater turnover
"Correct lighting increases sales". This is the motto under which BRO is presenting its latest lighting concepts at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The focus is on lighting that drive sales, is product-friendly and enhances the appearance of fruit, vegetables and fresh foods. One of the product highlights presented by BRO is the new Nano range of lamps. These compact, standardised designer lamps can be used for a wide range of store concepts and lighting situations in the food and fruit retailing. One particularly useful aspect of the Nano lamps is that the light's control unit is mounted in the ceiling. As a result, the lamps require less space and look more elegant. The Nano lamps are also easy to turn and aim, enabling shop owners to change their lighting schemes whenever they want. According to Sales Manager Christoph Ester, "Light is particularly important when presenting fruit and vegetables. After all, the lighting directly affects the freshness, shelf life and attractiveness of products on display".
( Hall 7.2c, stand B-02. Contact: Regine Hller. Tel. +49-(0)-2174-7990, e-mail: regine.hoeller@baero.de )
Patented slicing machines by KRONEN
KRONEN GmbH Nahrungsmitteltechnik is exhibiting and demonstrating selected models from its range of machinery year at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The most recent addition to the product line-up is the patented Multislicer slicing machine designed for tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, apples and citrus fruits. The thickness of the cut slices ranges from 4 to 12 millimetres and the technique ensures a perfect, more precise cut. The Multicorer is an innovative cutting and coring machine used to process lettuce, cabbage and sweet peppers. Stalks of a predefined length are removed before the machine divides the vegetable into two, three, six or eight pieces. Cauliflower and broccoli are separated into florets. The manual grid cutter HGW is a wizard when it comes to precision slicing of fruit and vegetables. With more than 200 cutting options, pineapples, peppers, onions, apples, oranges and lemons can be quickly, easily and cost-effectively processed. Cutting options range from cubes, diamonds, strips and slices, to triangles, wedges and other unique shapes.
In the Netherlands, Frugi Venta, a Dutch fresh produce trade platform with 471 affiliated growers, is planning to shift road transport to the waterways. "According to studies conducted in Great Britain, around 60% of fresh fruit and vegetables will be transported in refrigerated containers by the year 2010", says Willem Baljeu, Managing Director of Frugi Venta. The cost of transporting fresh produce via inland waterways will continue to decrease and is, of course, more environment friendly. With the aim of creating this so-called "Fresh Corridor", Frugi Venta is currently negotiating with several Dutch port companies, transhipment centres, growers and importers. The main idea is to expand the system. Discussions have already been held with port authorities in Antwerp. Baljeu said that ports in Duisburg/Ruhrort could also be considered if Germany comes into play.
(Hall 3.2, Stand D-06. Contact: Ger van Burik. Tel. +31-(0)-31703850100, e-mail: info@hbaggroenten.nl)
Vetter Holding GmbH becoming a full-service provider
According to Managing Director Matthias Kranich, the focus for Vetter Holding GmbH at FRUIT LOGISTICA is more on communications than product presentations. "We are a trade company and are on our way to becoming a full-service provider". He explained that customers don't simply receive a product, they can also rest assured that the product arrives safely. Vetter’s three main business segments are fruit and vegetable wholesale, dry fruit processing and logistics. Kranich underscores his company's market position: "We are one of the leading corporate groups in the fruit and vegetable service sector". Vetter Holding has subsidiaries in most of Europe's key production countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. The main themes for Vetter Holding at this year’s trade fair are quality and quality management, the introduction of two new subsidiaries, their brands and managers, and highlighting the group's social commitment. Kranich: "We are in a position of responsibility with regards to the community".
Обзоры и аналитика
