The 23rd edition of Worldfood Moscow has just finished. This food fair takes place between the 15th and the 18th of September. Despite the Russian boycott there are still European fruit and vegetable companies present. One of them is the Belgian fruit company Bel'Export. According to Tony Derwael it is a strange situation in Russia. "Of course there is a lot less interest than in previous years. What we're mainly doing at the moment is maintaining the relationships with existing customers, even if we can't supply them. Other than this there is little we can do at the fair. It is useful to be here to get our last few pennies in. The Russians are a lot slower at paying their bills at the moment. We really have to chase them."
Visiting supermarkets
Everything had already been booked, so Bel'Export couldn't cancel this fair. "We were hoping that the problem would be solved by this time, but it hasn't. We have been here for a number of days now and have visited a lot of supermarkets. The fruit and vegetable aisles are full. Most products looked good, there were a little less vegetables. It is clear that they have enough of almost all products. I even saw Conférence pears, but I have no idea where they're from?"
Customers have enough other options
Those at the fair are relieved. "It's a purely political matter, and we can't solve it. We have to wait, but nothing is going to change any time soon." He indicates that their customers are happy they're there. "They are happy to see us and are sad we can't supply them. The advantage they have is that they can find other supply areas. And they are. They're going to Turkey, Israel, you name it. There are enough options. Especially for apples."
Russia is fine
He concludes that they are dispensable. "It might sound tough, but the Russians are managing without European fruit. The ban is hardly a problem for Russia. We, mainly the producers, are the victims, not them."
Yet he isn't about to give up. "There are other options. An example of this is Kazakhstan. We have had a number of regular clients there for a number of years and we may be able to extend this. We will be at Worldfood Kazakhstan at the start of November."
For more information:
Tony Derwael
Bel'Export
Neremstraat 2
3840 Borgloon - Belgium
Tel +32 12 440 551
www.belexport.com
belexport@belexport.com