Shaping a sustainable production and trading environment will be at the heart of SHAFFE’s work for the upcoming years

17 February 2020

SHAFFE - The Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters has held its Annual General Meeting on the 6th of February 2020 in the margins of Fruit Logistica in Berlin. Among the key elements of discussion have been the increased attention to sustainability matters and climatic challenges as well as the debate about the potential impact of the EU Initiative „European Green Deal“ on international fruit trade. The meeting was also used for a positive review of the association’s past year performance, in which SHAFFE not only welcomed Brazil’s exporter organisation „Abrafrutas“ among its members, but also reviewed it’s communication tools and launched it’s new website www.shaffe.net

„The last year has been a very fruitful year for the organisation - with higher attendance rates in meetings, a modernized website and increased policy monitoring activity“, says Dr. Konanani Liphadzi, CEO of Fruit SA and current president of SHAFFE. She adds: „2020 will be shaped by sustainability topics, an area where the association will increase its activity“. The AGM, held on the 6th of February 2020 in Berlin, was largely dedicated to review the current situation in the Southern Hemisphere countries with regard to legal and volunteering initiatives, responding to climatic challenge as well as in the area of social and labour rights. The meeting also discussed the EU’s Green Deal initiative and the potential impact the discussed measures may have on the international trading environment for temperate fruit trade. SHAFFE countries have already taken leadership in the area of environmental and resource protection and will continue throughout 2020, to search for sustainable solutions to tackle current environmental and regulatory challenges. The association will assists its members in this endeavour.

Overall, the association looks back on a successful year, in which it welcomed the Brazilian producer and exporter association „Abrafrutas“ amongst its members. Brazil ranks among the Top-30 global fruit exporters and has exported roughly 508.000 T of temperate fruits in 2018.1 Abrafrutas has provided great updates on the current production and trading situation in Brazil over the past year and added valuable insights to the knowledge sharing mindset of the organisation.

Moreover, SHAFFE has reviewed its external communication tools and modernized its website . The new website, www.shaffe.net will not only provide regular updates on the organisations activities, but also provides trading figures and detailed overview of all members of the organisation with related background information. SHAFFE has also launched a new Twitter account @ShaffeFruit in parallel, to increase the Southern Hemispheres temperate fruit visibility and communication platforms.

SHAFFE members will continue throughout 2020 to take stock on SPS, TBT and NTB market access barriers in the three key markets of Europe, Asia and the U.S., but will also carefully observe the ongoing international developments to tackle climate change and environmental challenges, and in particular the EU’s Geen Deal endeavour.

Read more:

Food Africa and pacprocess MEA 2025: Powering Regional Trade and Industry Growth

11 July 2025
Returning for their 10th and 6th editions respectively, Food Africa and pacprocess MEA will take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC). These internationally renowned events have become leading platforms for stakeholders in the food and beverage, processing, and packaging sectors, offering unmatched opportunities to explore business prospects across Africa and the Middle East. »

China Study Tour: An Unmissable Experience in CHINA MEET UP 2025

10 July 2025
China Study Tour: An Unmissable Experience in CHINA MEET UP 2025! Visitors from across the world sign up for China-focused extension of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Join the Study Tour and Premium Buyer Programme while spaces last. CHINA MEET UP 2025, the official mainland China-focused extension of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, returns to Guangzhou on 8–9 September 2025 with strong momentum and broader global participation. »

Only three weeks left to register as an exhibitor for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026

10 July 2025
Returning to Berlin from 4 to 6 February 2026, FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business. Featuring new formats, high-level networking and a global reach, it is an unmissable event for industry professionals. Registration is open until 31 July 2025. Exhibitor registration for FRUIT LOGISTICA, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, which will take place in Berlin from 4 to 6 February 2026, is still open for three more weeks. »
PARTNERS