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5 al Día lifts the Spanish industry

SPAIN intro 5ALDIA (3)

The last 5 al Día conference held in Mercamadrid showed how producers and distributors can better cooperate to respond to consumer trends.

Organised by the 5 al Día association, attendees at the last 5 al Día general assembly held in Madrid last 3rd March had the chance to hear about the most recent consumer approaches. A representative from the Spanish industry and distributors’ association AECOC, Maite Arrizabalaga, showed the results of the latest consumer research on purchasing behaviour. The study focussed on the tendencies of fruits and vegetable customers and on how producers and distributors could draw up a better strategy for sales by considering their characteristics. The study proves that in order to attract greater attention from the public and therefore greater consumption of fruit and vegetables, producers and wholesalers have to get to know their costumers better. The research is based on an evaluation of the answers to the survey that some groups of customers made. There was also an online questionnaire where all the questions dealt with a satisfaction analysis. The focus group was divided into two sections depending on the costumers’ preferred market: if it was a traditional destination (local markets and small firms) or if they preferred buying this kind of product at supermarkets and hypermarkets. 
Maite Arrizabalaga highlighted the importance of such an analysis not only in attending to market expectations, but also in helping to encourage healthy food habits among Spanish consumer society, for which young children and teenagers are the most important target, as the general secretary Isabel García Tejerina remarked at the beginning of the event. In addition, the study gave practical information about various contextual features and how every single feature should be considered in drawing up a strategy. For example, the two main destinations define the frequency of purchases. The results of the analysis showed us that more than fifty per cent of Spanish homes buy fruit and vegetables more than once a week. This may be due to the fact that they are close to the local shop where they get the product. Also, 52.6% of households buy fruit more than once a week and 63.1% of Spanish customers get their products in the traditional market. Most of them (around 80%) admit to buying them at the supermarket only occasionally. 
“Our Customers are at the Heart of the Strategy”
As regards the act of buying, the general evaluation that customers make of the experience also depends on the type of customer already indicated, because those who buy in the traditional channel evaluate it at least one point higher than the ones that buy their fruit at the supermarket, although the average score is 7.9. The different levels of satisfaction may be due to reasons such as these: the fact that in the traditional market customers get better, more qualified assistance from the salesperson; the proximity of the shop and for this reason the freshness of the product; the level of quality and guarantee attached to the products from the local market compared to those from the supermarket; their price, etc… The markets appear to be mindful of the concept of impulse purchases and for this reason they are constantly coming up with new ideas. For their part, the fruit and vegetable sector still has to find a way to take the place of milk and cereals. This might be an onerous task, but we appear to be closer and closer to the aim of “5 al día”: eating an average of 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables every day.  
MG

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New base boosts CMR’s capacity, sales

SPAIN mercas CMR

Moving to a state-of-the-art logistic platform in early 2011 at the height of the financial crisis was a bold move that has paid off for international fruit and vegetable distributor CMR Group.
Its platform adjoining Mercabarna was pivotal in the group’s 15 percent growth last year to a turnover of €120 million.  Import-Export manager Carles Martí Inglada said increased capacity had been a key benefit. The 9,000 m2 facility handles more than 220 types of products. Bananas were one of CMR’s top six fruits sold last year, along with grapes, melon, oranges, avocados and kiwis. 
Cutting-edge, controlled atmosphere cold stores, freezing rooms and ripening chambers, an ethylene removal system and a quality control laboratory help optimize fruit condition while solar panels and rainwater storage reduce electricity and water costs.  Martí said achieving further growth in 2014 won’t be easy due to last year’s late frosts in Chile, which will probably shrink supply of fruit such as kiwis, apples, prunes and other stone fruit. Chile joins Peru, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina as CMR’s main off-season suppliers.  The group imports from more than 40 countries and exports throughout Europe and to North Africa. Half of its produce comes into Spanish ports, and the other half at CMR’s Rotterdam hub.  Martí said strong sales service combined with good relations with its suppliers is one of the ‘secrets’ to the fifth-generation company’s success, allowing it to maintain exclusivity and continuity deals and often be among the first with specialty produce such as the Brazilian melon, South African grape, Australian mango or Chilean cherry. CMR Group holds regular tastings to teach clients the organoleptic properties of marketed products. While elsewhere in Europe supermarket chains have greatly eroded the retail share of small greengrocers, these neighbourhood stores still thrive in Spain, something Martí sees as an advantage. “It gives us a broader client spread and more possibilities.” Martí said the fruit and vegetable sector had been one of those least affected by the euro crisis and, given it involves staples closely linked to the health and well-being of consumers, he sees expansion ahead in sales. “Our ethos is to sell well, to deliver a good final product to our clients and keep them happy, and in that way keep earning the faith of our suppliers, those who entrust CMR Group with the marketing of their produce.”

 

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ARC Eurobanan releases Mango Gift Pack under Isla Bonita brand

NEWS spain EUROBANANAN (2)

In time for Valentine’s Day, one of Spain’s leaders in fruit and vegetable import and distribution launched a new format gift pack which met strong demand from both the brand’s main distributors and clients, as well as end consumers. Given some special celebrations demand gifts that are personalized and unique, this gift pack imparts an original and sensual touch in the form of flavor, sweetness and freshness. The easy-to-transport new format of more than 2.5 kg features a design evoking elegance and fine food that reflects the quality of the fruit within. Naturally such a premium product contains only the best, tree-ripened mangoes – an authentic tropical experience for the five senses. Delicious, romantic and healthy Valentine’s Day Gift. The “tree-ripened” mango is characterized by its intense color, penetrating aroma and a firm and creamy flesh that melts in the mouth. But the gift of Isla Bonita Mango is not only one of flavor but of health: it is a good source of vitamins B and C and high in fibre. The exclusive pack comes with a quality seal and ARC Eurobanan hopes it will be enjoyed as an aromatic, sensual, healthy and tasty gift.

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Frutas Niqui expands its business line

SPAIN imp NIQUI

Previously focused on apples with more than 50% of their turnover, Niqui is one of the largest distributors of Perlim brands in Spain. Frutas Niqui has increased their portfolio with more trade lines such as asparagus, oranges from the Southern Hemisphere, and kiwi. Thus is that the family business keeps on increasing its turnover between 8% and 10% per year, moving up to 12th place among the leading Spanish fruit importers. “Overall, we diversify our products and sources in order to limit our dependencies and control our risks” says their director Javier Niqui. They import citrus from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, South Africa and even Chile. Frutas Niqui is also the Madrid distributor for Castang apples (France) and Minho kiwis. Besides, for the last 5 years, they have developed Beso brand, which is already well established, as well as great demanded for their careful selection of asparagus imported from Peru by plane. “

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Port of Koper: making waves in the Adriatic

The multipurpose port of Koper, Slovenia, located in the North Adriatic, is in close proximity to various big cities in Central Europe and in a very attractive location for fresh produce deliveries to Western and Eastern Europe – providing weekly dispatch to the UK and Moscow – for goods originating from the Eastern Mediterranean and Far East. It has a modern fruit terminal infrastructure and offers a high quality service of fast cross-docking and customs clearance 7 days a week, year-round.
The Port of Koper lies in the Northern Adriatic Sea, where the Mediterranean most deeply penetrates the European continent. Consequently, it represents the shortest link from the Far East via Suez to Central and South-Eastern European markets, with excellent road and railway connections, and a sea distance about 2,000 nm shorter than other North-European ports. The port’s hinterland covers a vast area with a high economic potential and rapidly developing economies. The most important European business centres are less than a day away from Koper. This is why in addition to Slovenia, the major inland markets of Port of Koper are Austria, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bavaria and Poland. Its location is not the port’s only advantage. It is a modern, well-organised and well-equipped multipurpose port. It operates day and night, all year long. The port is an approved EU border inspection post and the entire area has free zone status. The basic port activities in Koper take place in 12 terminals specialized in handling and warehousing various types of goods, such as containers, general cargo, fruit and perishable goods, livestock, vehicles, timber, dry bulk and liquid cargoes. Moreover, to fully meet customers’ needs, ‘Luka Koper’ also performs a variety of additional services that add to the value of goods.
In 2013, the Koper port continued its growth in various cargo types via 12 different terminals, exceeding 18 million tons of throughput, most of it being exports and imports for the hinterland markets of Slovenia. The container terminal reached 600,000 TEU, again being ranked first among Adriatic ports. Since obtaining the status of an official EU port of entry in 2004, the Port of Koper has enjoyed continuous growth in various cargoes. Fresh produce is the most sensitive and demanding cargo, requiring excellent service by everyone in the chain from arrival at the port to the promptest possible departure. 

Customs-cleared goods by reefer truck just a few hours later
Its high demand clients (exporters and importers) have awarded Port of Koper a reputation as a reliable, safe, high quality and flexible service provider.
Koper port is certified to ISO 9001, 14001, 22000, BS OHSAS, EFQM, HACCP and has ECO certification for organic produce. Koper port continually invests in the upgrade of its facilities: modern equipped cold stores at the fruit terminal offer storage of up to 16,000 pallets, an area of 26,000 m2 and 1,500 pallets in the refrigerated rooms, and an area of 2,000 m2 at -180 C. Last year, this major gateway handled 9,000 40’ reefer containers containing 220,000 pallets. In the peak season, most containers arrive twice-weekly from Israel – up to 400 40’ reefers weekly – and are swiftly dispatched to various European destinations in Germany, Holland, Poland, Austria, Switzerland and the UK, and occasionally also to Moscow. This season, improved weekly arrivals from Egypt have been observed, and recently also citrus from Turkey. Arrivals of grapes from India, which started last season, are expected to continue. More and more goods are reaching supermarket shelves direct from Koper. Year-round for the last four years, fresh cut flowers and herbs have arrived from Israel for dispatch to the Dutch auction. The port also handles bananas all year, more of which are arriving in containers, in addition to those in conventional reefer ships. Banana ripening in the port’s ripening chambers is also available.
CV  

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Foodcareplus, dedicated logistic provider from Antwerp

TRANS foodcarePLus

“For more than 25 years, our company has been providing logistics services for perishable industry operators,” according to Marie Lammertyn, sales management assistant at foodcareplus. 
A privately owned logistics provider, foodcareplus is based in Antwerp – the leading gateway to Europe. Unlike most logistics service providers, the company’s business model does not allow third-party logistics service providers to deal with transactions under common and standard agency agreements. All business services are strictly controlled through a business platform. Another office is located in Tianjin, a large Chinese port.
The company is also pleased to be able to provide its customers with more efficient distribution solutions, a key reason it is the sponsor of Cool Logistic Global conferences on pressing issues for the industry.

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Lufthansa Cargo delivering to the doorstep

TRANS LufthansaCargo_CoolChainGroup

Receiving flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables at your doorstep has never been so straightforward. 

Lufthansa Cargo and the Cool Chain Group (CCG) have joined forces on the to-door delivery of fresh products. Lufthansa Cargo has been providing this service for the past 15 years, and with CCG, it will be expanded to other markets including 36 European destinations. It is ideal for customers requiring fast and reliable shipment of fresh cargo in a temperature-controlled environment but with no transport service of their own from airport to consignee.
A few days before Valentine´s Day, 1,000 tonnes of roses were flown from warmer climates in Africa (Kenya) and South America (Ecuador and Colombia) to Frankfurt, with Lufthansa Cargo. On a single flight, up to 90 tonnes of roses can be transported, and this is actually more environmentally-friendly than growing the roses in Germany. According to by the UK’s Cranfield University, that would produce more CO2 as each individual flower needs artificial irrigation and an additional heat supply to grow.  
To meet the exceptionally high demand for roses on Valentine’s Day, the cargo airline arranged special flights in addition to the scheduled connections.  As soon as the roses are harvested, they are whisked to the packaging centre then direct to the aircraft. They are unloaded in Frankfurt, where, from this hub, the roses are sent to other destinations.

1,7 million tons delivered
Lufthansa Cargo ranks among the world’s leading cargo carriers. Its 2013 traffic figures show the airline carried around 1.7 million tonnes of freight and mail and sold 8.7 billion tonne-kilometres (RTK). Lufthansa Cargo focuses on the airport-to-airport business. The cargo carrier serves 300 destinations in around 100 countries with its own fleet of freighters, the belly capacities of passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, and an extensive road feeder service network. The bulk of the cargo business is routed through Frankfurt airport. Lufthansa Cargo is a wholly owned Lufthansa subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
The CCG Group, based at Kelsterbach near Frankfurt, operates a global network dedicated to managing the supply chain of temperature-sensitive products. As a perishables integrator and specialist logistics provider, CCG offers innovative concepts for start-to-finish supply chain solutions from source to destination.
CV  

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Elite Harvest brand performing strongly

SPECIAL middleeast ELITE AGRO Mr Saeed Al Bahri

Elite Agro is state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable production farm in the UAE since 2010.

Elite AgrElite Agro was set up as a corporate farming business in the UAE in 2010 with a vision of promoting self-reliance and food security in surrounding society and the wider region via new benchmarks in the production of high quality and safe agricultural products.
Its sustainable agriculture policy is designed to contribute towards environmental health, economic profitability and social equity. “Stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance to us,” said Saeed Al Bahri, Managing Director of Elite Agro LLC. “It’s crucial to realize that each small decision we take makes a big difference and helps move the whole system toward sustainable agriculture. Our key to moving forward is the will to take the next step and keep diversifying our products, which increases both our economic and ecological resilience. The efficient management of every product is our aim,” he said.
Food safety is a high priority on all Elite Agro Farms. Consumer and buyer confidence in, and perception of, Elite Agro products is further enhanced by its safety program for prevention of any kind of contamination risk. Proof of its investment in all the necessary steps to guarantee very high quality and safe products are its certifications with Global G.A.P., BRC, HACCP and ISO22000.

Water management – making the most of each drop
Mr Saeed stressed the importance of judicious usage of water not just for Elite Agro but for the UAE’s agriculture sector as a whole. “We allocate our water resources via a smart mix of agricultural production systems to ensure water is used strategically and sustainably. More crop-per-drop: that’s our philosophy in optimizing the ratio of a crop’s yield to the water required to produce it. Our sophisticated water management, sensing and distribution systems are applied to achieve maximum efficiency. Indeed, this year we are converting all our vegetable and fruit production to soilless culture in a closed system where we will recycle a large amount of our water and nutrients and use a media that can hold more water than sand. Thus, converting to soilless will reduce groundwater contamination and make our methodology even more environmentally-friendly.”

Homegrown product: Elite Harvest
“We have gained the know-how to bring top-quality vegetables to the market through our well-known Elite Harvest brand, which has performed well for us in the last year,” said Sales and Marketing Manager James Varghese. “This season, our products ripened into a successful line that we will nurture and expand each year. We produce and sell Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Eggplants, Strawberries and Lettuces throughout winter and spring (November-June). Strict appearance standards are applied upon their inspection and they are packed to the highest standardsfor retail and wholesale chains. We are in the process of establishing another site so we can also produce in the hotter months and thus supply these products to our clients year-round,” he said.

Keys to success
Mr Saeed said a dedicated team had fuelled Elite Agro’s fast-paced growth in the last three years. “We provided the environment for innovation and productive hard work and they spared no effort in proving that everything is possible and that the sky’s the limit,” he said.
Elite Agro sees the following as keys to its continued success:
– to further strengthen its expertise and enrich its accumulated knowledge;
– to exceed consumer and customer expectations in terms of quality health products; and
– to increase its production efficiency in the use of limited natural resources by introducing state-of-the-art innovative technologies and methodologies.

Precision farming
Precision farming is the next generation of farming, Saeed said. “It will allow us to focus on achieving the highest possible quality yields with minimum input. So we are continuously investigating in how our products, tools, net house structures and greenhouses can be improved to achieve our goals without wasting our resources. We will keep collaborating with all our suppliers to achieve the most sustainable cultivation,” he said.

Targeting foreign markets
Mr Saeed said Elite Agro has what it takes to enter existing and emerging foreign markets, namely sufficient land, resources, water usage efficiency, growing structure and systems, and specialized equipment for growing, harvesting and packing, and cold rooms. Similarly, it has reliable infrastructure, efficient commercial and financial services, different production intervals, and high standard global certifications.

From farm to fork – Elite Agro’s produce tracking
“We use a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to provide traceability for all our products, with another lot or batch number specifically identifying where the produce came from and the harvest and packing dates. Delivering safe food products is our primary focus,” Mr Varghese said.

Reducing its carbon footprint
Among Elite Agro’s key initiatives for reducing its carbon footprint are to reduce and recycle waste; ensure most of its lighting, equipment and motors are energy efficient; and to use better logistics for all deliveries that calculate the most efficient truck routes and combine customer orders where practical.

PE

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Jebal Al Atlas brings Mediterranean flavors

SPECIAL middleeast JEBAL AL ATLAS (2)

Specialists in Moroccan fresh and processed foods, Jebal Al Atlas chooses from the best origins in the Mediterranean. “Our priority selections are based on taste, food security and good shelf-life,” said managing director Driss Dehbi. “We are observing global growth in demand, both in the retail and food service or tourism sectors, with an increasing preference for quality.”
The company has increased its tomato range, with a full assortment of nine items: round, vine, plum, yellow, salad, cherry, kumato and mini-san marzano tomatoes. Spanish and Moroccan vegetables are offered year-round, transported by air or sea with a 14-day transit. “We aim to convey our diverse origins and promote their differences at the point of sale with tastings and brochures, because taste is what makes all the difference with consumers,” Driss explained. The same strategy is applied to citrus, with oranges and clementines offered all year with the same quality criteria. The main sources are Morocco and South Africa, with excellent value for price every season.

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Emirates airline builds new hub for perishables

SPECIAL middleeast EMIRATES AIRLINES Skycargo-ULD-1_0155

A new and additional logistics hub for the “World’s Best Airline” is being constructed at Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport. The new freighter base will allow expansion of Emirates’ cool chain services. It will feature a dedicated perishable temperature controlled area, de-linked from the temperature zone for pharmaceutical and healthcare cargo. Emirates is also working on innovative solutions to provide a streamlined service for the perishable supply chain, the launch of which is planned for early this summer.  “We are currently working on developing our facilities including our ‘Cool Dollies’ with a real time automated temperature mapping system. In the next stage our aim is to develop this at shipment level (with single-use data loggers),” said André Martin, senior corporate communications manager at Emirates Airlines.  With its three Cool Chain solutions (basic, advanced, premium), Emirates SkyCargo is able to meet the varying demands of the perishable industry across its global network. Its major trade lanes for fruits, vegetables and flowers are from Africa into Europe and the Middle East, for meat (chilled and fresh) these are mainly from Australia, New Zealand and the sub-continent, while source markets like South America are also in strong focus, with shippers using its cool chain products.