Table grape growers around the world need to be more aware of consumer demands in the markets they serve and be ready to invest in the right kinds of packaging and varieties in order to meet those requirements.
That was one of the stand-out messages delivered to members of the international table grape industry by Mike Newton of International Produce, the fresh produce sourcing division of Walmart-owned Asda, at the Global Table Grape Congress 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa.
'Suppliers need to be more proactive towards varietal and packaging developments and a better understanding of the end consumer is needed,' he told delegates at the event, which took place at the NH Lord Charles hotel on 27-29 July. 'They are regarded as resistant to change.'
Feedback from the market suggested producers still had work to do in terms of improving certain aspects of their grape output, Newton implied.
'When customers complain it's about taste – poor taste and lack of flavour, decay, browning on green seedless etc. They don't complain about lack of colour on red seedless or fruit size.'
The Global Table Grape Congress, which took place for the first time this year, brings together leading players from the international table grape business, including retailers, importers, suppliers, growers and service providers.
Around 200 delegates drawn from 14 different countries participated in the inaugural event.
Further coverage of the Global Table Grape Congress will be published in the September 2011 issue of Eurofruit.
To reserve your copy, contact Violet Kazandzhieva on +44 20 7501 3702 or subscriptions@fruitnet.com, or visit www.fruitnet.com/subscribe
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