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UK’s organic market grows despite fall in food spending

There were sharp increases for some organic products, among them fresh fruit – up 6.4%.

Sales of organic products rose 4% in the UK in 2014, a year when food prices fell 1.9% and food spending 1.1%.

The Soil Association’s 2015 Organic Market Report also shows fresh fruit and vegetables and dairy products were the most popular organic purchases.

And amid the context of sliding non-organic sales, there were sharp increases for some organic products, among them fresh fruit – up 6.4%.

“Sales of organic vegetables fell by 2%, but in a context in which non-organic sales plummeted at five times this rate,” the association said in a press release.

There was also significant growth in organic supply into catering, (13.6%),

The association said the nutritional credentials of organic gained a big boost in July when landmark Newcastle University research showed organic crops including fruit and vegetables are up to 60% higher than non-organic research from.

Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning said said three years ago commentators were writing off the organic market in the UK.” Now, with a third year of steady growth, and against a falling overall food market, it’s clear that reports of organic food’s demise were premature to say the least,” she said.

“Now, even the discounters are beginning to stock organic ranges.”

 

Details of 2015 Organic Market Report: http://www.soilassociation.org/marketreport

 

 

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LIDL explains how to recognise quality in fruit and veg

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Global discounter LIDL has launched a quality campaign in its German home base teaching how to recognize good quality.

The campaign includes a TV ad now on air in Germany which asks “How can you tell what really is good?”

The initiative focuses on six product groups: fruits and vegetables, fresh baked goods, fresh meat products, wine, coffee and chocolate.

An accompanying web site says how fresh, crisp and juicy they are is a guide to quality in fruit and vegetables “and not the fact someone made a colourful pyramid out of them.” Good vegetables are usually plump, crisp and firm. For many types – such as tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers – a strong and uniform skin colour is an indication of ripeness, it says.

Lidl has included a fruit and vegetables ‘horoscope’ to guide consumers as to the ‘stars of the season’. It provides an overview of Lidl’s changing range according to the time of year. Being in season is another factor in good quality fruit and vegetables. “We only offer a product when it has reached the ideal level of maturity and thus tastes really good,” it says.

See the web site (in German)

 

 

 

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Opening new Asian markets a priority for Spanish exporters

Entering new markets in China and other Asian countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea a priorities for Spanish fresh produce exporters.

China and other Asian countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea are priorities for negotiations to open up new markets, says Spain’s exporter federation Fepex.

But at a meeting of its Working Group on Fruit and Vegetables in Madrid this week – to discuss an Internationalization plan – product-country specific protocols with contain very strict phytosanitary requirements were identified as the main barrier faced by fruit and vegetable producers and exporters.

Meanwhile, attendees were informed that that a proposed protocol with China for the export of peaches and plums from Spain is currently being assessed by the Chinese authorities.

 

Read Fepex’s report on the meeting in Spanish.

 

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Price cuts push up pepper sales in UK

PEPPERS Red - Edited

Peppers among top 25 food items, with mixed colour packs the most popular

People in the UK have been eating more peppers but paying less for them. So while retail sales of peppers in the UK are up 10.7% in volume on a year ago, Kantar Worldpanel data shows they’re down 10.4% in value.

Comparing figures for the 52 weeks to December 7 with the same period a year before, the volume of peppers per buyer rose 8% to 5.43kg but their spend on peppers fell 12.7%  to £15.66. The price per kilogram of peppers dropped 20% – or £0.68 – to £2.88, outweighing the gained volume.

In total sales, the volume rose 10,253 tons to 105,889 tons while the value slid £35.2 million to £305.1 million.

According to Kantar, the price decrease took place across both full-price and promoted peppers. The level of promotions has not just been higher, they have been more generous compared to the previous year and mainly involved temporary price cuts rather than an increase in volume-based offers such as multi-buy deals.

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source: Kantar Worldpanel

Consumers mainly buying pre-packed, non-organic peppers

Meanwhile, peppers were 17th among the top 25 most bought items in food baskets ordered from mySupermarket.co.uk last year.

Data from its 50,000 monthly shoppers for the 12 months to the end of last November shows that on average, 19.45% – or about one in five – of all shopping baskets had peppers in them. Almost all these peppers were pre-packed and non-organic.

It also shows a small spike in pepper sales in January after which they tapered to a fairly consistent level for the rest of the year.

In terms of pepper types, mixed packs were the most popular, followed by red peppers.

 

source: mySupermarket.co.uk

 

 
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Dutch vegetable exports up 7%

Pears represent two thirds of Dutch fruit exports and have increased significantly, to 181,525 tons – up 80% on 2013 and 13% on 2012. After a poor crop in 2013, production of this fruit has fully recovered.

 

After little change in 2013, there was also a 44% spike in fruit exports – mainly thanks to pears – as at week 44 of 2014.

Vegetable exports from the Netherlands reached 2.55 million tons during the first 44 weeks of 2014, compared to 2.39 million in 2013 and 2.34 million in 2012. Among the top 10 varieties exported, field vegetables registered the most growth: white cabbage exports were up 58% of to 48,577 tons, leeks 29% to 30,790 tons and iceberg lettuce 25% to 39,011 tons.

Onions, with 809,390 tons, remain the top vegetable export, followed by tomatoes with 743,257 tons.  Meanwhile, the salad vegetables have seen significant progress with average gains of 10% (cucumbers +12%, peppers +11%, tomatoes +6%).

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Pears represent two thirds of Dutch fruit exports and have increased significantly, to 181,525 tons – up 80% on 2013 and 13% on 2012. After a poor crop in 2013, production of this fruit has fully recovered.

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On average, Dutch exports increased about 10% in 2014 and across the five main export destinations, except in the case of France (-12%).  Germany is by far the Netherlands’ top customer, taking 816,744 tons in 2014 as at week 44, up 9% on 2013.

-MW

This is an abbreviated version of an article on p48 of edition 135 of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read the full article for free here.

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US sweet potato exports poised for further growth

Europe – which imported about 80,000 tons in 2013 – is the main sweet potato export destination for the US, which already has a 50% share of the market, followed distantly by Israel.



Survey finds Europeans yet to discover sweet potato’s nutritional benefits

 

Sweet potato sales have already exploded 300% in Europe in the last decade but consumer research suggests the potential market is much bigger.

And it shows taste is currently by far the biggest reason for purchase, meaning highlighting the sweet potato’s nutritional strengths offers great scope to further grow demand.

Commissioned by the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI), the online survey of more than a 1,000 Europeans will now guide the institute in its mission to promote American sweet potatoes in northwestern Europe.

Europe – which imported about 80,000 tons in 2013 – is the main sweet potato export destination for the US, which already has a 50% share of the market, followed distantly by Israel.

Campaign to educate consumers

Netherlands–based Phaff Export Marketing is coordinating ASPMI’s export marketing for northwestern Europe and focusing its promotion on teaching consumers how and why to use sweet potatoes.

Its two–prong campaign covers both fresh sweet potatoes and sweet potato products, such as French fries, a segment that has already taken off in the US.

According to Phaff, all major retailers in northwestern Europe now carry sweet potatoes in their assortment. The consumer research, conducted in December, shows it is in such grocery stores where two thirds of sweet potato eaters buy their sweet potatoes.

Questionnaire finds both interest and ignorance

The survey, which covered Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, found familiarity with sweet potatoes is highest in France and lowest in the Netherlands.

It also found that while in Germany men seem to consume sweet potatoes more than women, in France it tends to be the opposite.

Among other findings:

  • two in five respondents already buy sweet potatoes,
  • nearly three-quarters of those already buying sweet potatoes do so because they like the taste,
  • only 13% of buyers do so because of nutrition,
  • half all respondent are very unfamiliar with sweet potatoes and specifically those of US origin,
  • nearly 40% of respondents in France, 33% in Germany, 25% in Luxembourg, 21% in Belgium and 19% in the Netherlands buy or eat sweet potatoes at least once a month.

Benefits likely from promoting nutrition, origin
Overall, it was concluded that gains can be made in introducing sweet potatoes to those who currently never eat them, as well as increasing consumption frequency for those who do.

Other recommendations include:

  • given the survey suggests only about one in 8 of sweet potato consumers in Europe are motivated by health reasons, more effort should be made to promote the product’s unique nutritional values;
  • as familiarity with sweet potatoes increases with age, raising product awareness among younger consumers should provide a beneficial spillover into older age groups;
  • origin is a purchasing consideration for just one in ten respondents so communicating the differentiating traits of US sweet potatoes would be worthwhile.

US sweet potatoes “poised to grow sharply”

Jerry Hingle, president and CEO of Louisiana–based International Trade Associates, serving as ASPMI’s Export Program Manager, said it was interesting that taste more than nutrition was cited as the reason for purchasing sweet potatoes.

“Although sweet potatoes certainly taste fabulous, we also have a compelling story to tell as to their nutritional value – low saturated fat, low glycemic index, high fibre, high in vitamins, etc. – and plan to weave this into our messaging over the coming year.

“As European consumers become more health conscious, we think demand for US sweet potatoes is poised to grow sharply if we help bring the nutritional message to them,” he said.

The majority of America’s sweet potatoes are grown in the south, with North Carolina one of the top growing states.

ASPMI started promoting US sweet potatoes in Europe last July with Canada and possibly Mexico to be part of the marketing campaign.

    

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source: survey of European consumers conducted by World Perspectives, Inc. for American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI).

This report appeared on p146 of edition 135 of Eurofresh Distribution magazine.

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Port of Barcelona, driver of economic activity in Europe and the Mediterranean

The Port of Barcelona is Spain’s number one in terms of the value of the goods handled.



The strategically located Port of Barcelona is not only Spain’s number one in terms of the value of the goods handled, it is an engine of economic activity for southern Europe. It ranks fourth in the world for cruise ship traffic and is the Mediterranean leader in vehicle traffic.

Barcelona is also among European ports with the greatest potential for growth. Oriented towards the handling of high value added cargo, the port is now in an important growth phase marked by two key aspects: the completion of the largest expansion in its history, and the extension of its range of activities, through the enhancement of its maritime, road and rail connectivity.

“Historically, the commercial development of the Port of Barcelona was based on imports, but in recent years, driven by the local business sector, exports have increased significantly and the situation has reversed,” said Lluís París, the port’s commercial manager.

“In this context, the extension of the Barcelona container terminal (TCB) and the opening in 2012 of the Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) by the Hutchison group, gave us the ability to handle a larger volume of containers and to compete with the major ports of northern Europe. In addition, we have forged alliances with logistics operators and are expanding our short sea routes, linking Spain, Italy and the Mediterranean, with services such as those provided by the Grimaldi group, the leading Italian shippers.”

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The expansion more than doubled the port’s surface area to 1,300 hectares. “The docks and terminals built or enlarged in the new port allow terminal operators to handle bigger ships and largescale cargo,” París said. Furthermore, to provide better services for perishables passing through the port, the new Border Inspection Point (known in Spanish as PIF) has 31 loading docks and other features designed to streamline border control and quality standards compliance requirements.

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This report appeared on p67 of edition 135 of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read more Logistics news in the section starting on p62.

 

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Inaugural Freskon Exhibition & International Cherry Conference this April in Greece

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Accelerating the export penetration of Greek cherries into foreign markets is the goal of the 1st Freskon exhibition, to be held April 23–25.

Organised by TIF-Helexpo in Thessaloniki, the event will also incorporate the International Cherry Conference.

The conference will map the cherry market at the international level as well as cover new technology for cherry cultivation, forecasts for the new season in the main cherry-producing countries, the commercial dynamism of the product and methods-proposals for better marketing.

Subjects to be covered at the conference also include:
 

  • the management and development of cherry research in Greece: Issues and choices;

  • priorities in research and innovation during the new 2014-2020 programming period for the Agro-nutrition platform;

  • innovation in propagation and varieties of cherry trees’;

  • pruning and crown forming in dense cherry plantations: a physiological approach;

  • cherry value chain management;

  • X-TEND Modified Atmosphere Packaging by StePac for the preservation of cherries;

  • Luna®Ligoteres losses – Increased production (LessWaste – MoreProduce);

  • Integrated pest management solutions in cherry from BayerCropScience;

  • efficient nutrition of cherries; and

  • effect of calcium nutrition on fruit quality.
     

The conference will feature speakers from all the cherry-producing countries of the Mediterranean and participants in the FRESKON exhibition will come into contact with representatives of major foreign supermarket chains, commercial enterprises and distribution companies-networks.

The exhibition will also host foreign exhibitors who are active in the sector and represent the latest developments concerning fresh fruit, vegetables, logistics, machinery and packaging materials.
 

Hosted buyers (foreign trade visitors) will be arriving from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, China & Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, England, Lebanon, Belgium, Malta, Turkey, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Over 2,400 scheduled appointments between hosted buyers and FRESKON exhibitors have already been set and this number is expected to increase by April.
 

Also noteworthy are the parallel events to be held in the framework of the exhibition, the most outstanding of which are the International Cherry Conference and the special section on Supermarkets.

At the section on Supermarkets, which will take place with the participation of Greek and Balkan supermarket chains in a specially created area, exhibitors will have the opportunity to attend scheduled meetings to discuss and develop partnerships.

Furthermore, within the framework of parallel events, innovations and new technologies in the sector will be analysed, while the distribution and sale of fresh fruit & vegetables from representatives of foreign supermarket chains in the Balkan market (Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and FYROM) will be discussed.

 

Find out more and register: http://freskon.helexpo.gr/freskon/en/content/welcome-freskon-2015

 

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The largest retailers in Belarus

RETAIL Bielorusia ROTNAIA

 

Successful strategy of directly sourcing and offering many quality products at affordable prices.

 

“Founded in the 1990s, our company began its activity as a small wholesaler,” explains Alexey Titov, head of Evrotorg’s fruit and vegetables department. “We imported products from Europe and distributed them in Minsk and other regions of Belarus. In the 2000s, the company opened its first retail stores under the brand name Euroopt, and it has now become the largest retailer in Belarus with over 270 stores with different formats, from mini-stores to hypermarkets.”

Fruit and vegetables take up a significant part of the sales. Most of the products are local: apples, cherries, cranberries and other fruits in summer; vegetables grown in open fields and in hot houses, etc.

However, imported products are also on the shelves in season (stone fruit) and all year round, too: cauliflowers, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, Iceberg lettuce, citrus, bananas, persimmon, grapes, etc.

 

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Large assortment and direct imports at Evrotorg

The recently opened hypermarket in Pinsk is very nice and modern. Its fruit zone is Euroopt’s point of reference. The space for the fruit zone is very large and the customers can comfortably choose the fruit they like. In the same zone, there is a bar with freshly squeezed juices.

The department responsible for fruit and vegetable purchases is large and divided into 3 groups. The largest one deals with imports of banana and citrus fruit, the second largest with vegetables, and the third is responsible for all other fruit purchases.

As for the sources of the imported products, the largest volumes are brought from Poland and Turkey. Other exporters are Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Greece.

 

Rodnaya Storona, one of the most dynamic retailers in Belarus

The first store belonging to a Belarusian retailer under the brand of Rodnaya Storona was opened in 2007 in Gomel. Expanding fast, the company became one of three largest retailers in the country, with 90 stores all over Belarus and with over 4,000 employees.

“We are a dynamic company,” says Alesia Borisova, fruit and vegetable purchasing department specialist. “We intently follow market trends, consumers’ requirements, general trends and react at once.” Fresh products are very important for the brand, and the company’s specialists pay close attention to partnerships with fruit and vegetable suppliers who can offer good quality products.

“Belarus is a producer of essential fruit and vegetables: potatoes, carrots, cabbages, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, apples, etc.”, Borisova said.“But of course, a lot of fruit and vegetables in the assortment have to be imported.”

NB

 

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Evrotorg buyers

 

This is an abbreviated version of an article on page 28 of the retail section of edition 135 of Eurofresh Distribution magazine.

 

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Berries in one in four UK shopping baskets over summer

More than one in four shopping baskets sold by mySupermarket in the UK had berries in them last May–August. The average of nearly 26% for those warmer months – up from about 18.5% over twelve months – shows the seasonal nature of berry consumption.

More than one in four shopping baskets sold by mySupermarket in the UK had berries in them last May–August.
The average of nearly 26% for those warmer months – up from about 18.5% over twelve months – shows the seasonal nature of berry consumption.
Sales of organic berries were consistent with this spike. From January–November last year, just 0.61% of all shopping baskets contained organic berries but this rose to an average of 0.81% for May–August, though the vast majority of berries sold were still conventional.
The berries included in the data were strawberries, assorted berries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries and all were sold pre-packed.
The data came from mySupermarket.co.uk, which said it is derived from its about 50,000 monthly shoppers.

Berry sales up in UK

Retail sales of fresh berries have risen 11% in both value and volume in the UK, Kantar Worldpanel data shows.

Figures for the 52 weeks to December 7 show total sales of nearly £893.4 million, up from just over £803,4 million for the same period the previous year. A total of 150,781 tons of berries were sold, up from 135,674 tons.
 

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Read more berry news on pages 104-111 of edition 135 of Eurofresh Distribution magazine.
 

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