The economic downturn was a major focus of this year’s Eurofruit Congress Southern Hemisphere, with some commentators suggesting European markets were showing signs of recovery as the worst effects of the global financial crisis began to recede.

Edward Garner of market analyst TNS Worldpanel looked at retail trends in one of South Africa’s key export markets, the UK, revealing that many of the country’s previously nervous consumers were now turning back to premium brands at the country’s major retailers.

Peter Durose of Poles Apart Consulting told delegates that, while some UK consumers could remain more frugal even after the recession, others would quickly revert to their previous purchasing habits. “Suppliers will have to respond to a more complex customer offer by better understanding simpler ranging, customer needs and supply chain costs,” he said.

Pieter du Toit of South African exporter Dutoit Group added that the short-term focus remained survival in the face of low prices and cost pressures, and suggested that some supermarket offers would not be sustainable for growers. In the long term, he said, developing even closer relationships with customers would be key.

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