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Almería gains more consumers all year round

The Andalusian inter-professional body Hortyfruta and the regional agricultural department are redoubling their efforts for the spring campaign to satisfy melon consumers. “No unripe fruit” is the new slogan for the melon and watermelon campaign to raise awareness among farmers not to harvest melons and watermelons before their time. Their president Francisco Góngora advises farmers to “observe each variety’s minimum Brix,” so as to ensure the fruit’s flavour and sweetness demanded by the consumer. This means 9º Brix for watermelons, 10º for Galia and yellow melons, and 11º for Piel de Sapo and Charentais melons. The administration intends to carry out more than the 4,000 samples and 360 checks they did in 2013 (four times more than in 2012), when only 1.1% of watermelons were rejected, and less than 1% of melons.
Hortyfruta also carried out a survey on consumer preferences regarding melon varieties in several European countries. They specifically analysed consumption of Cantaloupe in France, and Piel de Sapo and Galia in the UK. Texture and sweetness are the main selection criteria, above aspects such as appearance or origin.

“We care, you enjoy” conquers England
In the third year of its campaign (until February 2015), the European promotion campaign “We care, you enjoy” is culminating in an intensive communication programme in England, with nutritionist Fiona Hunter as the spokesperson, of similar reach to the activities already carried out in Germany. The campaign has activities on the street (“off trade”: advertising at petrol stations, airports and motorways), inserts in consumer magazines (lifestyle types and supermarket chains), participation in consumer fairs (like the “Fit London Show” that attracted more than 12,000 women) and press trips for English and Scottish journalists to Andalusia and Murcia. 
Jointly funded by the Andalusian interprofessional body Hortyfruta and the Murcia exporters’ association Proexport, with support from the European Union and the Spanish government, “We care, you enjoy” has a budget of €3 million and will be renewed once the current programme has ended.
In addition, Hortyfruta has submitted a request for funding for a new consumer information campaign about “the good points in the European production system”, which is more sustainable, and their good farming practices. Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom are the chosen markets.
“We still have to generate synergies in our industry; there is still a lot of individualism,” claims Hortyfruta’s president, Francisco Góngora. He hopes to encourage more ambitious future projects, thanks to the new European regulation of the common agricultural policy and the new Spanish food regulation law. Both of them will give more support for promotional activities, fostering more sustainable agriculture and healthier consumption. “As an interprofessional body, we should also help reduce imbalances between production and distribution.” The interprofessional body is also working with the administration to draw up extensions to the standards, such as standardization and classification of products, and financing of promotional campaigns. Francisco also regrets the loss of farmers’ profitability, because “costs are still rising but prices are not improving.” 

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France: the top melon purchaser

Intra-EU imports have been continuing their upward trend since 2011, with Spain still the official supplier in Europe for the EU-28. In 2013, these imports came to 592,288 tons, 0.5% more than in 2012 (588,758 t in total) and 24% more than in 2011 (536,928 t). Spain, accounting for over 60% of these, is still the leading European country exporting this fruit. In 2013, it exported 373,140 t of melons (worth nearly €283 million), ten thousand more than in 2012 (363,447 t) and nearly 40,000 tons more than in 2011 (335,439 t). 
France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Portugal are the main destinations dominating intra-EU melon imports. As one can see, 8 of the EU-28 countries monopolize nearly 85% of these imports, above all France in 2013 with 123,000 t, 5% up on 2012. For its part, Germany ranks as the second destination, growing less than France with 1% annual growth in 2013 compared to the previous year. In other locations, such as the Netherlands and Portugal, growth from 2012 to 2013 was around 4%. Overall, the 8 major intra-European destinations for European melons have seen growth every year since 2011. Only in Italy has it decreased, especially between 2012 and 2013, from 26,000 tons to 22,000 (14% less), most certainly because its domestic production grew. 
As for the source countries for the imports, Spain continues to lead the ranking, with 373,140 t in 2013; 10,000 more than in 2012 and 38,000 more than in 2011. The Netherlands is following the same upward trend. It is the second largest melon exporter within the EU-28 with 103,000 tons in 2013, similar to the 2012 figure. Third come Germany, France and Italy with very similar numbers. Germany exported just over 28,000 tons in 2013, France 29,000 t and Italy 26,000 t. 

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Frost affects strong Tucumán citrus production

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Tucumán is noted for its privileged ecological conditions, as the climate, soil and subtropical temperature with a marked dry season are ideal for lemon farming. With a harvest season from April to sober, Tucumán accounts for 85% of the lemons produced in the country and provides around 40,000 jobs. A brief review of the past few years shows a steady increase in production, going from 602,015 tons per year in 1995 to 1,328,300 tons in 2007, when the volume stabilised and remained relatively stable… until now. On average, until 2013 the records showed around 35,000 hectares planted with lemon, of which 198,396 tons of fresh fruit went to export and 50,000 tons goes to the domestic market of fresh fruit and 1,050,000 tons is ground. The effects of the frost that affected the region in 2013 are now being seen in 2014, as this season the fruit deficit is estimated in alarming figures ranging from 30% to even 50% less, depending on the area. In figures for 2014, the experts forecast that there will be around 500,000 t destined for industrial purposes and only 170,000 tons of fresh lemon.  
This will be a tough campaign and Argentine producers are gearing up to face a season with little fruit and high prices. The main problem is how the international markets will receive the news. In Argentina, if efficient prices are reached more fruits are exported. But if there is no agreement on price negotiations, growers in Argentina prefer to send their fruit to the domestic market where the industry uses it to make dehydrated peel, juices and essential oils.

IDEP Tucumán opening new markets
With a clear focus on opening up new markets, IDEP (Productive Development Institute of Tucuman) is undertaking an intense joint project between the public and private sectors. New fields are being added to those already in production and our duty now is to find new target destinations for this surplus”, explains Ms. Virginia Avila, Area Export Promotion Coordinator for IDEP Tucumán. 
The Tucuman export map is expanding and alongside traditional destinations like the USA, Europe and Russia, other new development poles are emerging in areas such as the Middle East or the Asian and African markets.
“Each place has its peculiarities, both in logistics and quality. So, Tucuman’s exporting companies are working hard to swiftly satisfy these market demands. 
Despite the distance separating Tucuman and the world markets, the province – by working jointly with the public and private sectors – has managed to position its wide range of produce covering sectors like fresh fruits, organics, frozen items, industrial derivatives, metalworking, software, beverages and food products, etc.. The region has a worldwide presence, with a broad variety of products and destinations, shipping over 150 export products to more than 150 countries.
In this scenario, the IDEP as meeting point between the private sector and the state furnishes the export channel with tools through different initiatives and activities: – Trade Promotion: business rounds, financial assistance or participation in national and international fairs. Competitive edge: quality programme and credit support. Communication: communication support to enhance the visibility of Tucuman companies. Tucumán Brand: as quality seal for products of Tucuman origin.*
The province also has an airport cargo terminal with a cold chamber which allows, for example, exports of berries harvested the same day. 
“Production supply in the province under the Tucumán Brand is promoted by the IDEP through participation in trade fairs and national and international missions”, affirms Ávila.

 

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Catalonia expects to harvest over 400,000 tons

According to estimates by the Catalan fruit business association, Afrucat, as well as the Agriculture and Livestock general management of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and the Natural Environment (DAMM in Catalan), an overall increase of 9% is expected in Catalan stone fruit production, reaching 415,000 tonnes. 
By groups, round peach will drop by 2% (109,600 t), flat peach will be up 37% (103,550 t), nectarines will increase by 6% (178,700 t) and Pavia (yellow peach) will fall by 5% (22,600 t). So, Catalonia continues to specialize in flat peaches and nectarines. This overall increase is due to growth of 9% in the area cultivated and the absence of any significant frost. The plantation conversion plan has contributed to this increase in production area for ​​peaches and nectarines in Lleida and Tarragona. Lleida accounts for 89% of the volume in this province. The flat peach will overtake the round peach for the first time. 

 

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Europe consumes more peaches

STONE-intro-previsions

Slight decrease in intra-EU stone fruit imports between 2012 and 2013. Nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots and cherries, in that order, added up to a million and a half tons in 2013, in import flows among EU-28 countries. In total, imports for 2013 were 0.2 % lower than last year, but represented a turnover of 1,871,365,564 euros, almost 150 million more than in 2012.
By varieties, peach saw a notable increase, with EU-28 imports in 2013 approaching 4% more, reaching almost 447,000 tons, 17 thousand more than 2012. In turn, nectarine volumes fell by 1,7%, reaching 625 thousand t in 2013, 9 thousand less than in 2012. But if we are talking about negative figures, plum imports were outstanding: 10% fewer intra-EU imports of this fruit in 2013, in other words, 21,500 t less than in 2012. Similarly, apricots underwent a 4% decline in imports among EU countries. Cherries were the exception, as numbers rose by almost 5.5 % in 2013 over the previous year. 
By destinations, a large part of these imports went to Germany, with 444 thousand t in 2013, illustrating an upward trend for 2011-2013, the majority from Spain, with 174,000 t in 2013, as well as 150,000 t from Italy the same year. Among destinations, Portugal and Italy took in 27% more imports in 2013 compared to 2012, which had seen a considerable drop, especially in Italy, and to a lesser extent in Portugal. 

 

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7 years of Integrity Program at GLOBALG.A.P.

n the last 15 years, GLOBALG.A.P. has grown into an international farm assurance standard with more than 135.000 certified producers. The exponential growth also means exponentially increased responsibility and complexity.  Recognizing the increased risks, in 2007 the GLOBALG.A.P. Board decided to create an integrity program.
“In the beginning we had only one standard (Integrated Farm Assurance – IFA) and mainly European Certification Bodies. Now we have more than 10 standards, almost 140 Certification Bodies, and certified producers in more than 100 countries,” explains Andras Fekete, Director of Compliance. 
The objective is to guarantee that each certified grower complies to the same level with the standard, regardless of the country of certification or the auditing body. The program includes a team of 8 auditors, also called “CIPRO” assessors (Certification Integrity Program Auditors), who are very experienced with the GLOBALGAP standards. 
“Our two main activities consist of assessing the offices of the Certification Bodies (where we are only checking operational records and auditor qualification) and re-auditing recently certified farms on-site,” details Andras. The integrity assessment (re-audit) result is then compared with the report issued by the Certification Body. The report of the integrity assessment is evaluated by the secretariat of GLOBALGAP. “If the result is not satisfactory, it is presented to the Integrity Surveillance Committee,” confirms Andras. The committee decides of possible sanctions at different levels: first warning, second warning, yellow card, red card. The most severe sanction would be the cancellation of the contract with the Certification Body and sending the information to the local Accreditation Body. The yellow card, red card and the cancellations are publicly displayed on the GLOBALG.A.P. website.

More than 1630 assessment days made completed until todayso far
‘’We started the integrity assessment program in 2008. Every year we complete between 250 and 320 assessment days. Since 2008, we have completed 1630 assessment days! In some years we spent almost a quarter of our total budget on integrity assessments and integrity related activities,” says Andras. Each Certification Body is visited at least once every 2 years, with both an office and some producer re-assessments conducted. The assessor team is able to conduct the assessments in 11 languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Bulgarian, Russian, Hungarian, Chinese), for other countries, translators are used.
“Our objective is to encourage improvements rather than focusing on sanctioning the Certification Bodies, who are also seen as our most valued business partners.” In several cases however, the Integrity Surveillance Committee has had to issue sanctions. Up until now, a total of 41 First Warnings, 14 Second Warnings and 23 Yellow Cards have been issued. Additionally, 14 CBs have cancelled or voluntarily withdrawn from GLOBALG.A.P.  Experience has shown the average performance of the Certification Bodies has improved significantly. “But, unfortunately we cannot stop here.” The GLOBALG.A.P. landscape is ever-changing and continuously growing, expanding to new countries, approving new Certification Bodies, adding new versions to the existing standards and developing new standards, et cetera.

Why an integrity program in parallel with accreditation? 
“The truth is that our integrity program complements the work of the Accreditation Bodies,” clarifies Andras. “Our system is still based on ISO 17065 (previously ISO 65) accreditation and GLOBALG.A.P. strongly supports that concept.” The integrity program checks the GLOBALG.A.P. specific implementation issues but not the compliance of the Certification Body with ISO 17065 requirements.
“But, this is not all. In conjunction with the evaluation of the Certification Bodies, the integrity program is running several other activities: complaint management, false claim investigation, GLOBALG.A.P. brand misuse investigation, exceeded residue level investigation, and many workshops for Certification Bodies, producers, and consultants.”

 

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How fruit fared in China in 2013

CHINA-market-INTRO-(6)

In 2013, China’s fruit exports still focused on apple, citrus and pear. With 35 nations/regions obtaining protocols from AQSIQ (China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine), it imported more varieties of fruit. Thanks to zero tariffs between China and ASEAN nations, fruit is imported from Pakistan, New Zealand, Chile, and Peru at very competitive prices. The top 10 imported fruits (in order of import value) were durian, grape, banana, cherry, mango, kiwi, citrus, plum, apple and watermelon. The total value of imported fruit increased 10.6% last year – more evidence that China is an increasingly attractive market.

Apples remain an export market
In 2013, apples were still an export market for China. The total export volume reached 994,664 tons, a 1.9% increase on 2012, with a 7.2% rise in total value to $1.03 billion. The peak months were January, March, April, November and December, with each seeing the export of more than 100,000 tons.
Asia and Europe are still the top two destinations. In terms of trade volume, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are the top three buyers of Chinese apples, while in value, the Philippines topped the list, with more than $20 million, followed closely by Thailand with more than $19 million and Vietnam with more than $11 million. Two other buyers of Chinese apples also stood out: India (with about a 35% increase in volume and 25% increase in value) and Malaysia (30% increase both in volume and value). The Russian Commonwealth remains strong, but buyers have shifted to lower priced apples. Shandong province is the main apple growing region in China, and exported almost half of the total.

China’s apple imports
China imported 38,724 tons of apples value with a value of $67.6 million, down 37% and 26.8% respectively on 2012. In 2013, Chile, NZ and USA apple protocols were temporarily frozen, leaving little choices for importers. Only apples from Argentina, Australia (Tasmania), France, and Japan could be exported to China. At time of writing the bans on New Zealand and Chile had been lifted but the US had yet to regain access. As with apples, apple juice exports exceed imports. In 2012, China exported 750,000 tons of apple juice concentrate, however in 2013 the volume fell 1.7% to 601,000 tons. China imported 1,811 tons of apple juice last year, 75% more than 2012, though the value slipped 20.7% from $1.14 billion to under $0.91 billion. Apple juice from China mainly goes to the US – which bought half the total – and Germany, Japan, the Russian Commonwealth, Chile and Argentina. The average price for exported apple juice last year was $1507.29/ton. 
Citrus: China pays more for imported products
While in terms of volume China exported more citrus than it imported, the good news for suppliers is that exported citrus averaged $1,155/ton, but China paid $1,618.8/ton for imported citrus. At present, Argentina, Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and the US have protocols for export to China. (Though the US protocol was suspended last year, the ban may be lifted in 2014, according to AQSIQ sources.). Year-on-year, China’s citrus imports rose 53.6% last year, to 12,602 tons, while its citrus exports, mainly to other Asian nations, totalled 773,365 tons. The main exporting provinces are Fujian, Guangxi, Shandong, Xinjiang and Yunnan. China’s top citrus buyer, Malaysia, last year took more than 140,000 tons, up 46% on 2012. Malaysia paid $217 million, an increase of more than 72%. Next came Thailand, with more than 62,000 tons (+13%) and $106 million (+50%), followed by Vietnam. Price-wise, Malaysia paid a per ton average of $1588.20, and Thailand $1714.80, while, after a 39.5% increase, Vietnam averaged $685.3. Russia was the top buyer among European continent nations. 

Pears: import price twice that of exports
The top 10 Chinese pear destinations are (in order of value): Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, the US, the Russian Commonwealth, Canada, the Philippines and Singapore. Border trade accounts for about 18% of the total. Shandong and Hebei are the top growing regions.
In 2013, China exported 381,281 tons of pears, down 6.9%. The total value of exports was $361.75 million, up 11.3%. The average price was $948.80 per ton. Though China only imported 3,766 tons of pears (+51.9%), the average price for imported pears was $1,834.80/ton. The total value of pear imports in 2013 was $6.91 million, up 82.3%.Argentina, Belgium, Japan, New Zealand and the US obtained AQSIQ protocols to export pears to China.

Grapes: export price 9% of import price
Grape exporters to China had a great year. In 2013, they sold 205,301 tons (+21.9%) to China, at a value of $55.23 million (+29.8%). Though China exported 141,128 tons of grapes, the average price was only $249.6/ton while it paid $2,690/ton for imported grapes. The export price was thus only 9% of the import price.
Chile and Peru, with the opposite growing season to China, had a great year. At present, besides these two nations, Australia, New Zealand and US (California only) also have grape protocols.

 

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Système U attracts customers through proximity and freshness

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Système U, France’s 4th-largest general food distributor, is a cooperative that comprises 1559 stores throughout France (including the French overseas departments and territories), a 63,000-strong workforce, a national food headquarters at Rungis and four regional headquarters in the West, South, East and North West. The group’s U mark can be found in two discount chains (Hyper U and Super U) and three chains of neighbourhood stores (Marché U, U Express and Utile). Its 2013 turnover, excluding petrol sales, was €18.45 billion (up by 3,5%), with a market share of 10.3%. Système U Ouest (west), with 491 stores and a 29.5% market share, accounts for 48% of turnover. In 2013, Système U Ouest marketed 207,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, up by 22% since 2010, giving it 30% of this market in its region. 

Partnerships with growers
One of Système U’s strong points is its support for French, regional and local products. 80% of the vegetables that Système U Ouest markets are grown in France, and local and regional supplies are encouraged. The company is increasingly committed to partnerships with the growers. All the U brand products, which make up 15-20% by volume of the fruit and vegetables, are grown under contract. Système U undertakes to buy a certain volume and the farmers undertake to comply with certain production criteria, particularly cutting down on pesticide use. At the end of 2012 the group signed a three-year contract with Coopérative BCO – SAS France Allium covering 1200 t/year of onions, accounting for 75% by volume of the onions sold by Système U. To meet the retailer’s requirements, the growers have concentrated on a specific variety with good resistance to mildew, enabling them to cut fungicide use by 30% and eliminate the classic use of an anti-sprouting product. In 2014, two new partnerships are under study for carrots and the white portion of leeks. 
Another major thrust, to accompany the plans for 5% yearly store expansion and the strategy of logistics cost-cutting, sustainable development and defence of the local economy, is to set up short-chain fresh produce warehouses. At the end of 2013 the group opened a new fresh produce depot in the Vendée to serve its stores in the Vendée, Deux-Sèvres, Charente, Charente-Maritime and Vienne departments. Its anticipated throughput is 35,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables. This is in addition to the group’s three existing fresh produce facilities in the west of France, in the Côte d’Armor, Loire-Atlantique et Indre-et-Loire departments. “Previously we had fewer fresh product warehouses but they were bigger”, said Serge Papin, the Système U chairman, at the opening of the new depot. “From now on our trump cards will be short chains, logistic proximity and buying local products”. To cut warehouse running costs, the group has already started to use robots for order picking and wants to develop this further.

New produce section
In 2013 Système U defined a new produce section concept, more labour-intensive but more attractive, that should be rolled out in 80% of its stores by the end of 2014 and in 100% within two years. It is based on a presentation that consists of placing the products flat on the display units, without any crates or boxes. This means they are laid out just one layer thick and are restocked more often during the day. The lettuces and green vegetables are also kept fresher by misting. To make the produce section more attractive and improve its flow, the weighing scales have been removed. Fruit and vegetables are now weighed at the checkout. An assistant is always on hand in the produce section. The range has been extended to include more organic products, heritage vegetables, exotic fruits and prepacks, among others. Another new departure is the creation of a Fraich Découpe section selling packs of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. Lastly, the emphasis in 2013/14 is on staff training, both in-store and at a test laboratory to be built in 2014 (when the fresh-cut sections are introduced). 

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Medfel drives more international buyers

The attendance and exhibitors at Medfel 2014 which is kept in Perpignan from 13 till 15 May 2014 increased 10% with 5,315 visitors against 4,894 (in 2013). Beyond figures, the first testimonies collected in Perpignan at the end of 4,000 BtoB meetings let think that the level of the business was very good too. The debates of Medfel were also very followed and are to be found on the site of medFEL with all the European harvest forecasts.

Poland’s Tropicana a big citrus buyer
From Tropicana in Poland, board president Wojciech Guzik was visiting Medfel mainly to seek new fruit suppliers. The importer and export of fruit and vegetables said he was looking for all kinds of products but, in terms of volume, mainly oranges. Greece and Spain are currently Tropicana’s main origins for oranges, though it now also buys from Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. It sources another of its high volume imports, bananas, mainly from Colombia and Costa Rica. Supplying small local greengrocers makes up about 80% of Tropicana’s business, and 20% is sales to retailers. The company’s focus is on imports but it also exports, such as selling Polish apples to distributors in France and cauliflower in the UK.

Saudi Arabian buyers at Medel for better fruit
Several Middle East buyers like Saudi Arabian importer Moatasem A. Abuzinadah were hosted at Medfel for the second consecutive year and looking to buy fruit including stone fruit, particularly cherries, apples and citrus fruit, as well as tomatoes.
General manager of Al Moatasem Trading Corp. and acting head auctioneer at the Jeddah wholesale fruit and vegetable market, Abuzinadah said last year he did some good deals with orange and apple suppliers from Spain and Egypt while at the fair. “Medfel is even better this year, with more visitors of different nationalities, and I’m hoping to find more new suppliers.”
Indonesian retail supplier at Medfel
Apples, pears and grapes were the main fruits, and carrots and onions the vegetables Jakarta-based fresh fruit importer and distributor Hendry Sim was most interested in at Medfel. Vice director of P.T. Laris Manis Utama, a company that mainly supplies retail chains, Sim said the US is its main source, particularly for apples and grapes from California, but China is also a big supplier, particularly of pears, and it also buys from Australia and Thailand.

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Medfel forging a great place to do deals

NEWS Medfel

The Perpignan event combines the congenial atmosphere and high quality commercial exchanges.

Medfel, the professional trade fair, business convention and symposium dedicated to the Mediterranean fruit and vegetable industry returns to the beautiful city of Perpignan in the south of France from 13th to 15th May 2014. As always the fair shines the spotlight on a certain product and this year is to be no different. The focus is on melons and water melons and green is its signature colour. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and its purpose is to aid business relations between the different participants in the fruit and vegetable sector of Mediterranean Europe from production to marketing by way of the fresh produce logistics sector.  Medfel is the only fruit and vegetable trade fair in the Mediterranean area, and now promotes the sector’s products and expertise to 5,000 professionals from all over the world. It plays host to 250 fruit and vegetable professionals from countries in the Mediterranean basin, working in areas ranging from production, wholesale and retail to import-export and shipment.  It is also the perfect place for exhibitors to meet high calibre buyers as international VIP buyers invited to the fair can use their personal access to the event’s website and organise meetings with exhibitors who can then hold pre-scheduled private interviews at their stands. There are 150 VIP international buyers who represent the 35 most important markets in terms of fruit and vegetable imports and these buyers are selected according to their needs and to their motivation to participate  in business meetings organised with the exhibitor. In 2013 nearly 4000 business-to-business meetings were organised and benefitted both exhibitors and visitors due to the time saved and the high calibre contacts made.

A TV podium to broadcast key issues
In addition to this, this year the symposium is to be organised in an innovative format in the form of “Podium TV”, which will be broadcast live at the fair and will include debates on key topics such as production, trade, solutions, transport and logistics with input from a number of well-known personalities as well as the much awaited announcement of the summer fruit harvest forecast. Subjects being discussed include increased food and water security in an area which not only suffers water shortages but is also undergoing significant socio-political upheaval; campaigns for placing fruit and vegetables at the heart of agricultural and public health policy and, of course, talks on melon production by important players in the field.    
Visitors this year include professionals from as far afield as Singapore and Japan as well as the rest of Asia, the Middle East and obviously the Mediterranean. This event now in its 6th year is going from strength to strength as seen from the feedback received from former editions. The success of the prescheduled meetings was highlighted as not only did it make it possible to meet with traders from countries who don’t usually take part in this type of event but also because both visitors and exhibitors were able to make better use of the discussion time than at other fairs. Other areas were also praised. Visitors felt that the presence of transport and logistics companies added to the experience by complementing the main thrust of the event. Above all the organisation was congratulated on the planning of the VIP programme which led to commercial exchanges of extremely high quality.