Uncategorized

The first ‘Freskon’ International Exhibition of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables attracted trade visitors and professionals coming from 21 countries.

Held April 23-25 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre in Greece, the inaugural event also hosted more than 2,500 business appointments, establishing itself as a new fixture in South-East Europe’s fresh fruit and vegetable sector.

Among parallel events, the International Cherry Congress drew at least 600 people, with the participation of all major cherry-producing countries of the Mediterranean.

And the FreshCon Market section featured 18 major chains from various Balkan countries (Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, FYROM and Albania), Europe and Greece. At FreshCon Market, each supermarket had its own stand, staffed by buyers from these chains’ fresh fruit and vegetable departments.

During the opening of the congress, TIF-Helexpo CEO Kyriakos Pozrikidis, stressed that the success of FRESKON highlights its role as an important intermediate link between the Greek production of fresh fruit and vegetables and international markets, major retailers and supranational distribution networks.

Freskon

Citrus trees and grapevines are among other plants that could be affected by a bacteria killing olive trees in Italy’s Puglia region, a Spanish agricultural union has warned.

Asaja has called for tight border controls to prevent the entry into spain of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), which it said has been dubbed the ebola of the olive sector due to its devastating impact on the plants it infects.

Today Asaja raised the issue during a meeting with other farm unions and Elena Víboras, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development in the Andalusian regional government. Later, Asaja said it had been assured that the government was exercising constant vigilance against the threat of the bacteria’s entry.

In a press release, Viboras said an action plan against Xf in Andalusia include measures for the early detection of the pathogen and training for those involved in trade-sensitive plant material. She said there would be increased monitoring in relation to vulnerables species including citrus and almond trees, and grapevines.

This Thursday, the European Commission will be questioned about the Xf issue in the European Parliament.

According to the Parliament, MEPs want answers on how to tackle spread of the killer bacteria.

“MEPs also want the Commission to pursue research to eradicate deadly plant diseases caused by pathogens such as Xylella fastidiosa and Black Spot in citrus imports from South Africa. They will ask whether it is ready to tighten restrictions on plant imports,” it said.

It was also noted that Xf “has already infected thousands of hectares of olive trees in Puglia region in Southern Italy and might also attack other plant species, such as citrus, grapevines and stone fruits (almond, peach, plum), leading, in the most severe cases, to their death.”

source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/

Selling fresh cut fruit to tourists has been one way traditional fruit stalls in Barcelona’s famous Boqueria market have adapted to changing times, a local newspaper reports today.

Covering debate over a new local government rule designed to curb crowds during the market’s busiest times, the newspaper 20 Minutos said some stallholders support the measure while others find it absurd.

In prohibiting the entry of groups of 15 or more people with a guide from the opening of business on Friday and Saturdays until 3pm, the council has said it was acting in response to requests from businesses at the market concerned about crowds making it hard for customers to shop at the market, which is just off the popular boulevard La Rambla.

20 Minutos said Jordi Tinoco is among those against the restricted access. “Our fruit stall was a traditional one and we had to throw out a lot of produce that didn’t sell but the management knew how to modernise and now we offer cut fruit that tourists buy and that’s going really well for us,” he was quoted as saying.

Source: 20 Minutos

Photos: http://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/ciutatvella/ca/noticia/la-boqueria-regula-les-visites-guiades-en-grup

Strengthening assortment – especially the fresh offering – is among the initiatives Walmart’s U.S. team is now focused on,  according to CEO Doug McMillon,

In the retailer’s 2015 annual report, he also pinpointed driving the integration of e-commerce with Walmart stores and improving the customer experience as priorities.

And McMillon said a similar focus applies to Walmart operations in Canada, Mexico, China, the UK and Brazil. “Across International, our commitment to a compelling fresh food offering and innovations in e-commerce, like grocery home shopping, will be important growth drivers for the future,” he said.

In the report, Walmart said its goal is to be “the most trusted retailer everywhere we operate.”

“We aim to strengthen customer trust with a strong focus on EDLP (everyday low prices), high quality fresh food and excellent customer service. For example, in China, we’ve invested to improve our distribution network for fresh products and also utilized Walmart’s “Worry Free Fresh” program to provide a money-back guarantee if our produce and meats don’t meet customer expectations,” Walmart said.

It is also committed to providing more healthy food products, including at its warehouse club, Sam’s Club.

“Whether they’re millennials or boomers, Sam’s Club members are seeking healthier food options – and we deliver. Last year, we more than doubled our organic portfolio. And, “healthy for you” items such as breakfast bars, squeezable fruit pouches and protein drinks are resonating with members as well.”

Read more here.