Southern Hemisphere fresh produce suppliers must not forget about the opportunities still available to expand business in traditional markets like Europe and the US, despite the growing attraction of lucrative destinations in Asia, Russia and the Middle East.
That was one of the stand-out messages from the Eurofruit Congress Southern Hemisphere 2011, which took place for the first time in Lima, Peru, on 9-11 November.
“A mature market is a competitive marketplace,” explained Paul Nicholls, commercial director of UK-based firm Total Exotics (part of the Total Produce group).
“Europe is the only market where you can push new product development, and innovation and product development is the only reliable route to security.”
Changes in market demand and consumer purchasing habits are also presenting big opportunities in existing destinations for suppliers across the Southern Hemisphere region.
“US consumers are becoming increasingly dependant on imported goods – they need Peru, they need Chile; they want fruit all year-round and they are eating less processed food,” pointed out Seald Sweet CEO, Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk.
“IT and social media are also featuring more in US consumer habits, which opens opportunities for suppliers to communicate better,” she added.
The Eurofruit Congress Southern Hemisphere annually brings leading players from the region’s fresh fruit and vegetable business together with key decision makers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Around 220 delegates from 20 different countries participated in this year’s edition of the event, including leading representatives from Camposol, ProHass, ProCitrus, Adex, Univeg, Hillfresh, Hagé International, Cool Fresh International, Commercial Fruits, Special Fruit, the Port of Antwerp, Seatrade, NYKCool, Seald Sweet, Goodfarmer, SAVE , Sensitech, SmartFresh and Fruit Logistica.
Further coverage of the Eurofruit Congress Southern Hemisphere 2011 will be published in the January 2012 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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