Fruitnet : Rss Feed [ Europe, Middle East & Africa ]

Turkish cherries to set export record

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:59:46 +0100

New report by USDA reveals that the country's fresh cherry shipments are set to hit a record 65,000 tonnes in 2010

Turkey's cherry export industry has enjoyed a bumper campaign this year, according to a new GAIN report by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service on the country's stonefruit season.

While production has remained similar to 2009 at 600,000 tonnes, the USDA report noted that exports had increased from 52,000 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes this year.

Germany remained the top market for Turkish cherries, importing just short of 17,000 tonnes, followed by Bulgaria at 15,304 tonnes and Russia with 14,680 tonnes.

Meanwhile, Turkey's peach and nectarine production bounced back from a lower campaign in 2009 to hit a total 550,000 tonnes, up from 547,000 tonnes last year.

Fresh exports are expected to stay flat at 32,000 tonnes, with Middle Eastern countries (Iran with 6,807 tonnes, Saudi Arabia with 4,692 tonnes) and Russia (4,009 tonnes) at the top of the importer list.

Russian potential still strong for Spain

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:59:31 +0100

Spanish export association Proexport is attending World Food Moscow with a view to increasing its sales in Russia

In spite of the ongoing economic recession in Russia, which has affected the spending power of the country’s consumers when it comes to expensive imports, there is still huge potential for Spanish exporters to increase their sales to Russia.

This was the assessment of Murcia-based fresh produce export consortium Proexport, which will be bringing a large delegation of leading exporters to this month’s World Food Moscow trade fair, which takes place in the Russian capital from 14-17 September.

Member companies, including Agromark, Campo de Lorca, Difrusa Export and Verdimed, will be attending the event with the objective of diversifying their client base in a market that Proexport believes offers export growth “possibilities”.

“Russia and the countries that surround it are difficult places for doing business, but they are extremely interesting for our sector as markets for our fruit and vegetable exports,” said Proexport director Fernando Gomez in a statement.

With a population estimated at 142m, the association views the Russian market as having strong possibilities for further growth for its two main exports to the country – citrus and stonefruit – among other products.

Mr Gomez said the trade visit would provide an opportunity for existing exporters to Russia to meet their clients and obtain new contains, while for other companies not present in the market it would provide a chance to meet Russian importers for the first time.

Proexport’s presence at World Food Moscow will be partly funded by the Region of Murcia’s export promotional plan, which is also highlighting participating companies through a dedicated website.

Total Produce sees profit rise

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:59:18 +0100

First-half result comes in 5.5 per cent higher than the same period of 2009, thanks to recovering demand and currency movement

Fresh produce grower-importer Total Produce has today announced that profit before tax increased by 5.5 per cent during the first half of 2010, up to €21.7m from the €20.6m recorded last year.

The Ireland-based group said that revenue including the group's share of joint ventures and associations rose 1.7 per cent to €1.33bn through the first six months of the year, boosted by a strong performance in the group's core fresh produce division despite "difficult" weather conditions.

Revenue in the fresh produce sector jumped 3.2 per cent to €1.3bn assisted by the strength of the Swedish krona and the sterling, leading to higher translation values, with revenue up 0.7 per cent on a constant currency basis.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation grew 2.9 per cent to €27.1m from €26.3m last year, Total Produce said, while net debt was lowered to €71.8m from €82.3m for the same period of 2010.

"Total produce has delivered a solid performance in the first half of 2010 with an increase of 1.5 per cent in adjusted earnings per share to 4.12 cent per share," said group chairman Carl McCann. "After a slow start to the year due to unusually cold weather throughout Europe, demand for the group's produce recovered with the group also benefiting from favourable currency translation movements.

"The group's interim dividend is unchanged at 0.54 cents per share," he added. "Total Produce is pleased to confirm that, assuming current trading conditions continue, it is now targeting adjusted earnings per share towards the upper end of its annual target range of 5.5-6.5 cents per share."

Click here for a comprehensive look at the group's results

Gathering momentum at CMA CGM

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:13:55 +0100

Revenue up 41 per cent through first six months of 2010 with freight volume climbing 22 per cent

French shipper CMA CGM has reviewed its financial statements for the first half of 2010, revealing that the recovery in business that began to emerge in late 2009 has gained further momentum so far this year.

According to the board of directors, revenue for the period increased 41 per cent on 2009 to US$6.8bn (€5.3bn), with freight volumes climbing by nearly 22 per cent year-on-year to 4.4m TEU.

The lower fixed-cost base resulted in one of the shipping industry's highest operating margins, the group noted, with earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation standing at 15.5 per cent for the first half.

"With its international presence through its own network of agencies, especially in China, CMA CGM Group is ideally positioned to strengthen its role as a leading global operator in its different markets," the group said.

CMA CGM said that it had continued to keep pace with growing freight volumes by expanding its fleet, taking delivery of six newbuilds in July and August.

"Nevertheless, competition remains sustained in a still uneven global economy," the group noted. "In the second half, the group will continue to reduce costs, in order to optimise its business model and consolidate its growth on reinforced financial bases.

"In this regard, CMA CGM is pursuing its discussions with investors with the objective to reinforce its equity. Second-quarter performance is expected to continue over the third quarter and year-end trends remain positive."

NZ citrus focuses on export profits

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:12:46 +0100

Peak body New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc’s annual conference today is expected to focus on the profitability of export markets

New Zealand’s citrus industry is holding its annual conference in Gisborne today, with the big issue under discussion expected to be the profitability of export markets.

New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc (NZCGI) chairman Rick Curtis said New Zealand’s exporters are finding it increasingly difficult to compete on overseas markets, reported Radio New Zealand.

The mandarin and lemon market in Japan, he said, was particularly tricky in the face of competition from South American and Northern Hemisphere suppliers.

Shifts in exchange rates were another particular concern for the industry, the Radio New Zealand report said.

New Zealand citrus industry covers around 1,700ha between 500 growers, according to the NZCGI, with NZ$5m worth of lemons, mandarins and oranges exported annually.

Japan and the US are the largest markets for New Zealand’s lemons – 500 tonnes of the fruit was exported in 2008/09 – and Japan and the UK are the main markets for mandarins, of which 750 tonnes were exported in 2008/09.

Around 90 per cent of the country’s orange exports are sent to the Pacific Islands.

MSSL sharpens export focus

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:08:33 +0100

Leading Indian grape exporter MSSL is planning to expand its offer and market reach following a company reshuffle which sees it shed all non-fruit services

India's Mahindra Shubhlabh Services Ltd (MSSL), the agri-business subsidiary of Indian automotive giant Mahindra, is streamlining its activities to focus on fruit exports following a company reshuffle.

The move, which sees MSSL's other agricultural services (seeds, crop care and farm finance among others) transfer to Mahindra's farm equipment division, means all company resources can be channelled into expanding its fruit business, MSSL business head Chaitanya Rajwade told Fruitnet.com.

"This [development] will immensely help grow the fruit business, both export and domestic," he said. "With undivided resources and the commitment of management, we can explore all opportunities to expand the business."

To date, MSSL has exclusively exported Indian grapes to Europe. Volumes to its strategic marketing partner Capespan have increased almost uninterrupted year-on-year since 2005, making it India's leading grape supplier to Europe.

Now MSSL and Capespan plan to explore markets for Indian mangoes, pomegranates and potentially bananas in Europe, Asia and the Middle East too, Capespan's procurement director Geoff Green told Fruitnet.com.

"The Mahindra procurement model is a good one, and further improvements are planned for the coming season," he said.

Strong watermelon campaign for Spain

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:17 +0100

Growers in Murcia are celebrating achieving “better than expected” results from this year’s watermelon campaign

Spanish watermelon producers in Murcia are celebrating achieving “positive” results from this year’s export campaign, which has helped the sector recover from the disappointing seasons recorded over recent years.

This was the assessment of regional fresh produce association Asaja Murcia, which said that in spite of the ongoing economic recession and an oversupply in external markets during the summer months, the campaign had been “better than expected”.

In a statement, Asaja Murcia’s general secretary Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca said that his organisation was “satisfied that the campaign had brought happiness” to producers who last season faced prices that did not cover the costs of production.

He said: “The campaign has turned out to be better than expected because we have received far superior prices to last season.

“Prices have been attractive and demand for watermelons has been very strong, which has enabled us to carry out very fluid sales in both internal and external markets.”

According to Mr Gálvez, the high temperatures recorded in Germany, the UK and France, as well as the shortage of others products such as stonefruit, helped boost demand for watermelons during the summer months, leading to higher than hoped for prices.

He added: “The campaign received very fruitful sales, and the good prices continued through to August, which enabled watermelon producers in (Murcia’s) Guadalentín Valley to overcome the bad results that we saw over recent years.”

Focus on European tastes in Moscow

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:16:52 +0100

EU to launch ‘Tasty Europe’ campaign at World Food Moscow to promote European food products in Russia

The European Union will be hosting a series of events, under the banner ‘Tasty Europe’, at this month’s World Food Moscow trade fair, which will focus on increasing awareness of European food products among Russian consumers.

With Russia now Europe’s second largest export market, the events will aim to generate greater interest in the diversity, quality and excellence of authentic European cuisine among shoppers, as well as Russian importers and retailers.

The main events of “Tasty Europe” will take place at World Food Moscow 2010, which will be held the Russian capital’s Expocenter na Krasnoy Presne, from 14-17 September.

The EU will have its own stand at Pavilion 8, Hall 1, which will present a selection of food and drink products from member states and will celebrate Europe’s cuisine culture, including fruit and vegetables.

In addition, chefs at five-star hotel level will perform live cooking demonstrations to visitors demonstrating how best to prepare European-style dishes.

The World Food Moscow activities will include ‘Tasty Europe Day’ on 16 September, during which the EU delegation will host a conference on European food products with the participation of leading Russian and European experts, retailers and restaurant business representatives.

They will discuss different topics concerning market advantages of agricultural products from Europe and their perspectives on the Russian market.

Special attention will be given to EU schemes known as PDO (protected designation of origin), PGI (protected geographical indication) and TSG (traditional speciality guaranteed) which promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs.

In addition to the promotion of European products at World Food Moscow 2010, the EU will also work with the X5 Retail Group to implement in-store promotions from 13-19 September.

These activities will take place in 15 ‘Perekrestok’ supermarkets in Moscow and four ‘Karusel’ supermarkets in St. Petersburg, providing tastings of a large variety of food products from Europe.

Sales increase for Peruvian produce

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:16:09 +0100

Fruit and vegetables accounted for a significant volume of Peru's agricultural exports with both experiencing sales growth

Agricultural exports from Peru rose by 25 per cent in value between January and July this year; totalling some US$1.4bn, up from US$1.1bn in the year-earlier period.

The growth was mainly attributable to improved sales of coffee, asparagus, avocados, table grapes and mangoes, according to the Peruvian Exporters Association (Adex).

Export value rose by 40 per cent in January, Adex said, before leveling off to a 26 per cent increase in February and a growth of 23 per cent in June.

According to preliminary figures, traditional agricultural exports (notably coffee and sugar) represented U$313.1m of the total – an increase of 48 per cent on 2008 when US$211.7m-worth of products were sold between January and July.

Non-traditional agricultural shipments, meanwhile, grew by 20 per cent in value to US$1.08m, comprising mainly vegetables (worth US$368.7m) as well as fruits and their derivatives (US$343m), according to Adex.

The main vegetables exported included asparagus, peppers, artichokes and Piquillo peppers, while avocados, table grapes, mangoes, plantain, mandarins and passionfruit juice made up the majority of the fruit category, among others.

Adex said the main markets for non-traditional exports were the US (absorbing US$291.6m worth of sendings, up 20 per cent on last year), followed by the Netherlands (US$157.9m), Spain (US$106.4m), Ecuador, Colombia, the UK, France and Chile.

Asian launch for Caribbean melon

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:08:51 +0100

Dutch group Rijk Zwaan will launch melon concept at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong on 8-10 September

Rijk Zwaan has announced that it will be paying special attention to its Caribbean melon concept on its stand at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, officially launching the fruit in Asia under the title 'Caribbean goes Asia'.

According to the Netherlands-based fresh produce breeding company, the Caribbean variety will now be available year-round in Asia, looking to replicate its success in central America and Brazil.

To celebrate its availability, a special Caribbean corner has been set up at the stand, where the product can be tasted and information may be obtained about the fruit, while an event will be held for chain partners directly involved during Asia Fruit Logistica.

Along with its partner Chiquita Brands China, Rijk Zwaan is not only presenting the Caribbean melon concept at the event but also various other product innovations, not only drawing attention to new varieties but also inspiring visitors to new forms of presentation and packaging.

Asia Fruit Logistica takes place on 8-10 September this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running in conjunction with the Asiafruit Congress.