The 8th edition of Asia Fruit Logistica opened todayin Hong Kong. The event has more stand holders this year that ever before.
The attendance was strong on the first day,with around 7,000 industry professionals expected to attend over the course of the exhibition.More than 460 exhibitors from 38 different countries were present to showcasetheir products and services.
The stand holders were positive about the number and quality of the visitors on thefirst day.
The Asia Fruit Awards wereheld on Tuesday evening at the official opening. Singaporean food retailer NTUCFairprice, Thai fruit importer Vachamon and a joint marketing campaign in Chinabetween Northwest Cherry Growers, Fruitday and TMall were announced as thewinners.
Marketing Campaign of the Year award winners (from left to right): Simon Dong, Head of Fresh, TMall; Loren Zhao, Co-founder, Fruitday; Philander Fan, China Country Manager, Northwest Cherry Growers; Chris White, Managing Director, Market Intelligence/Asiafruit Magazine; Gérald Lamusse, Managing Director, Global Produce Events.
The Marketing Campaign of theYear Award was won jointly by US marketing body Northwest Cherry Growers,Chinese fruit e-tailer Fruitday and e-commerce giant TMall for their promotionto market cherries online in June/July 2013.
Importer of the year award winners (pictured from left to right): Gérald Lamusse, Managing Director, Global Produce Events; Wipavee Watcharakorn, Managing Director, Vachamon; Chris White, Managing Director, Market Intelligence/Asiafruit Magazine.
Thai fruit importerVachamon was selected as the Importer of the Year in recognition of itsimpressive growth in the table grape business in particular, and itstrailblazing market development efforts. The most notable example is its workon apple marketer Enza’s proprietary varieties Jazz and Envy. As well asdeveloping the market for imported fruits within Thailand, Vachamon wasrecognised for its work in extending their reach into neighbouring markets inthe Greater Mekong region, such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Vachamon’s managingdirector Wipavee Watcharakorn accepted the award. “We greatly appreciatereceiving the Importer of the Year Award,” she said. “Over the past 10 years,we’ve been working very hard to develop the business in Thailand andneighbouring countries.”
Produce retailer of the year award winners (from left to right): Gérald Lamusse, Managing Director, Global Produce Events; Lim Kiat Boon, Senior Category Executive (Fresh), NTUC Fairprice; Tng Ah Yiam, Deputy CEO (Merchandise), NTUC Fairprice; Andy Chang, Group Category Manager (Fresh), NTUC Fairprice; Chris White, Managing Director, Market Intelligence/Asiafruit Magazine.
NTUC Fairprice clinched theProduce Retailer of the Year Award for its committed and progressive approachto fresh fruit and vegetable retailing. Fairprice was singled out for the wayit had managed to look beyond price alone and focus on quality and service,while at the same time catering to every strata of Singaporean society with itsstores and the affordability of its products. The retailer was commended forthe philosophy and culture it had created within its organisation, and theeducation of its staff, particularly at store level. Fairprice also won praisefor its open approach to working with suppliers, and for its focus on categorydevelopment.