AFL 2016

Asia’s rapidly evolving fresh fruit and vegetable markets are ripe for the introduction of new products and services, and there’ll be an unparalleled range on show at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica.

The sell-out show returns to Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo on 7-9 September 2016, with over 650 exhibitors from 37 different countries set to showcase their products and services.

Avocados are relatively new to China and several other Asian markets, but consumption is beginning to take off in the region – and a number of leading avocado industry players will be showcasing their offerings at this year’s event.

Chinese importer Lantao will be back again, promoting its recent partnership with major global grower-marketer Mission Produce and Chinese greengrocer chain Pagoda to bring pre-ripened avocados to consumers. Mission Produce and New Zealand exporter Avanza will once again share a booth under their Partners in Asia collaboration, while US-based Index Fresh and Green Fruit Avocados will be exhibiting for the second time.

Efforts to educate consumers in Asia about the health benefits of avocados, and how to eat them, are driving demand. Nutritional attributes also look set to be key to the success of other newer products featuring at Asia Fruit Logistica.

Muscadine grapes will be on display from first-time exhibitor the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. The large dark-skinned seeded grapes are typically marketed as individual berries.

“Asian markets have shown a high demand for nutraceuticals, and muscadines, with their very high levels of resveratrol, are a natural candidate for this market,” explained Peter Thornton of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

Asia Fruit Logistica will also stage the launch of a range of other new products. Spanish grower-packer KakiFresh Nature is making its debut in a bid to find customers for its persimmons (also known as kakis) across Asia; Dutch seed company Rijk Zwaan will launch its new long-lasting Knox lettuce range; and UK company Blue Skies will promote its ‘fresh from harvest’ prepared fruits, buoyed by increasing demand for health and convenience in Asia.

“Consumers in this region are receptive to new products and recognise the value of quality,” said Blue Skies’ communications director Simon Derrick.

Supply chain solutions

Asia’s fast-growing markets are not only hungry for new fresh fruit and vegetable products, they also present fertile ground for services and solutions spanning the supply chain.

Modern container shipping is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and Maersk Line is continuing to push container shipping into the digital era. The global shipping giant will be showcasing its Remote Container Management (RCM) system, which turns the reefer container into a digitally connected device.

Meanwhile, Aircoolbox – a new container system that could provide a greener and more cost-effective way to control fresh produce temperatures during air transit – will make its debut at the show. The self-contained and re-usable system is designed with airfreight in mind. Easily moved by forklift and pallet trucks, its dimensions make best use of the height available in the aircraft cargo hold and fit in neat configurations on commonly used aircraft pallet bases.

E-commerce platforms are also providing new trading and logistics solutions for the fresh fruit and vegetable business in Asia, with China blazing a trail. Chinese companies Cuixianyuan.comand Fruta Cloud will be showcasing their B2B services.

Visitors can get all the latest exhibitor data and the interactive floor plan online at Asia Fruit Logistica’s Virtual Marketplace. The portal enables visitors to search exhibitor products and services, see their location on the show-floor and schedule appointments.