This year the Aardappelhoeve will be at Fruit Logistica for the first time. Bart Nemegheer, owner of the company, indicates that they could not stay behind. "Most of the supermarkets' purchasers are present at this fair, as well as almost all our colleagues. We couldn't be the odd ones out any more. We used to attend the BioFach, but we have now grown to such an extent in the areas of sales and supply that we no longer see the value in going there. It is also a disadvantage that BioFach takes place right after the Fruit Logistica, which means many visitors do not go to Neurenberg the week after."
New packaging
The company plans to present something new for their first time at the fair. "Since December we have had a new 1 kilo packaging in our assortment. The demand for smaller packaging is a trend that has been going on for a while. There is a reduction in the amount of 5 kilo packagings. People now opt for the 1 or 2.5 kilo more often. We offer two kinds of 1 kilo packagings: one for waxy and one for floury potatoes. It's not that the sale of the 5 kilos is coming to an end. People with two or three children still buy them. But there are more and more single households, such as students or other young people living by themselves. We can't neglect this market. This trend can be seen in Belgium, but there is also international potential. This is why we want to present it at Fruit Logistica."
Bart indicates that the potato market is still calm. "The holidays are over and it's too early to tell how the market will develop. Everything is starting to become 'normal' and everyone is back to work. You can notice that there are some price inquiries coming in." According to the trader, organics are a steadily growing market. "The share grew again last year. Compared to 2012 there has been a 10% increase in 2013. Organics has its own audience and it is growing. The market is growing, carefully, but there is definitely progress."
The Aardappelhoeve can be found in Hall 6.2/B-08 during Fruit Logistica
For more information:
Bart Nemegheer
De Aardappelhoeve
Putterijstraat 7A
8700 Tielt - Belgium
T: +32-477 291784
F: +32- 514 09501
www.deaardappelhoeve.com