Marc Peyres from Blue Whale
“We're the first French company to do this in more than 20 years,” said Marc Peyres of Blue Whale. Coopérative des Vergers d'Anjou and Bureau du Val de Loire (BVL) have been working hard on bringing French apples to the United States for quite some time, but working out the protocols necessary to break into the U.S. market has taken a lot of work. With Vergers d Anjou and Bvl join Blue Whale, Blue Whale finalised the deal this year. It's a difficult thing to do, noted Peyres, and that's why no one has done it in so long.
“It's a risky thing because it's so complicated,” explained Peyres, “but now we're here, and we think we can make it easier.” Three containers of apples and two containers of pears made it already to the United States earlier this month and with containers still on the way, Blue Whale has sent 8 containers of apples and 4 containers of pears in total. Though it's a small shipment, it still carries a lot of risk due to the amount of time and effort put into the project. Peyres thinks their presence in the U.S. can grow, but he's careful to work in a methodical manner to make sure their foray into the United States is successful.
The three varieties: Tentation, Ariane and Angélys
“Of course, with so much production in the United States, we will remain a niche product,” said Peyres. “We're producing high-quality fruit that will carry premium prices, so it will be a niche thing.” Blue Whale was also careful to select French varieties for export that are not available in the U.S., such as Tentation, Ariane and Angélys The novelty of the fruit, along with the premium quality, has the potential to carve out a unique position in the crowded American market.
The next step for Blue Whale, noted Peyres, is to open up even more markets to European shippers. The next targets include Mexico and Australia. Both countries currently aren't importing French apples, but, with a lot of work, Peyres thinks they, too, can become receptive markets.
“I think we can go to both Mexico and Australia within the next 10 years,” said Peyres. “Both markets are complicated, but if we can successfully send our fruit to the United States, then we should be able to send our fruit to any country in the world.”
For more information:
Marc Peyres
Blue Whale
Tel +33 563 215 656
Marc@blue-whale.com
www.blue-whale.com