Polski
English
Русский
FRESHFEL AT FRUIT LOGISTICA 2016
Freshfel was present at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, as every year. One of the major events was the trade meeting held on the day before the start of the fair from the import / export division. This meeting provided the members with an update on Freshfel’s priorities for the coming year, trade flows, market developments, but also food and plant safety and sustainability. The secretariat also always asks the members to fill in a questionnaire with their views on the market. Interestingly, the responses were far more positive from last year and it seems like the sector is expecting a normalisation regarding the trade trends for 2016. Not only was Freshfel present, but also the President and Vice-President contributed to some press attention for the European Association of the fresh produce sector, Freshfel. First of all, the President, Luc Clerx from Prominent was published with a long and extensive article in one of Fruchthandel’s special editions for the Fruit Logistica. The article touched on many of the important issues for our sector such as the lingering effects of the Russian embargo, new market developments, increasing consumption as well as other important issues such as the limited amounts of plant protection products that can be used in production of fresh produce. Few paragraphs can be read here.
Freshfel Vice-President, Stephan Weist from REWE held a press conference on Tuesday 2 February on the premises of the Fruit Logistica, discussion the ‘sexy products’ that are fruit and vegetables. During this press conference, he emphasised that fresh produce are great products and that many people actually want to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. However, consumption is unfortunately still going down and often replaced by processed products. According to Stephan Weist, there are not enough incentives for consumers to eat more fresh produce, for which promotion can be a great tool, particularly since the sector is not spending much on promotion. For the sector, an increase of consumption by only 10 grams per day would mean 20 million T of more fruit and vegetables being sold in the EU. The press conference can be viewed here (3rd video). Thirdly, Freshfel also received Head of Unit C2 in DG AGRI from the European Commission, Mr. Jesus Zorrilla. Freshfel’s General Delegate, Philippe Binard took Mr. Zorrilla on a tour on Wednesday 3 Februrary to talk to many of the Freshfel members. It is highly important for the European Commission to talk to the stakeholders directly and by visiting a fair, also gaining some more practical insights into the fresh produce sector.
Press release: FRESHFEL EUROPE
Read more:
Macfrut, Daily 9th May
“We Have Become the Laughingstock of Europe": Fresh Produce Consortium Chief Blasts UK Border Strategy
Major Echinothrips monitoring improvements with new Bug-Scan® Green sticky trap
