German firms team up

ONE OF Germany's best known top-fruit marketing groups, Elbe-Obst has linked with its country's largest potted herb grower, Gartenbauzentrale eG and vegetable grower/packer Hansen in two separate moves.

Frank Doscher, EO's managing director (pictured, second right), said that the group's two new respective companies Ems-Krauter and Elbe-Gemuse would add a new dimension to its marketing portfolio.

Accompanied by Norbet Ficken, herb development manager and Dirk Hansen the delegation were in the UK recently visiting growers and wholesale markets. "We were impressed with the high quality of production and UK retailing," Doscher said.

One of the first successes has been to sign a strategic marketing alliance with Humber VHB which, subject to meeting technical standards, could allow E-K to gain a foothold for pot-grown herbs in UK supermarkets.