Fruitnet.com's partner publicationsFRESH PRODUCE JOURNAL,EUROFRUIT,ASIAFRUITandAMERICAFRUIThave teamed up to publish a series of special interviews to coincide with the FIFA World Cup, featuring a member of the fresh produce industry from each of the 32 nations involved in the tournament.
Today it's Steve Nelson of American firm Plant Sciences goes head to head with German Patrick Sperl of Cobana Fruchtringahead of their teams' Group G clash tomorrow (26 June):
What is your firm’s world-beating service or product?
Patrick Sperl:We have lots of course, but during the World Cup we will be selling products like stonefruit and berries, which are good seasonal items which generate strong demand.
Steve Nelson:Plant Sciences, Inc’s. World Cup-winning strategy has always been to properly align our most competitive plant genetics with companies and individuals that have a strong vision for growing and marketing the best available fruits and vegetables, sure to delight consumers worldwide!
What does the World Cup mean to people in your country?
PS:Germany's passion for football is generally high and our Bundesliga is one of the biggest competitions in Europe, but when it comes to the national team and the World Cup the public interest is even greater because more families get involved, and this definitely has an effect on food consumption levels. During the tournament, probably around 90-95 per cent of Germans are watching the games. Money-wise, it's a big thing for the major German companies especially car manufacturers like Mercedes.
SN:The World Cup means different things to different people in the US. Although I played six years of soccer (football) in junior high and high school, most people in the US did not grow up playing soccer. Among the Hispanic community and others, soccer is the main sporting event. Many more young people are now playing soccer in the US. Soccer continues to grow in popularity as a participation sport but as a spectator sport it is far from competing with baseball, basketball, and American football.
How do you think your national team will fare in Brazil?
PS:Germany, Holland and Brazil would be my three favourites for the competition, but after the last couple of tournaments I think it's Germany's time to win.
SN: Having attended a couple of matches recently in Madrid, it is clear that the rest of the world attracts its very best athletes to the game. Team USA will probably always be at a bit of a disadvantage given the fact that our best athletes generally are engaged in other sports. However, we successfully got past Ghana in the opening match, so our possibilities are now much better!
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