R&F Import Export expands with overseas citrus import and vegetables

R&F Import-Export was founded two years ago, "We have developed our business on all sides. Our growers organization has expanded to include seven new growers and we have started working with transporters and service providers," says Frans Schwiebbe. Next season R&F Import-Export will start importing overseas citrus in order to be able to offer year round citrus, along with products from Turkey, "The first contracts with Argentina and South Africa are now a reality. We will also take care of sales for two tomato growers in the region and we are in talks with several growers."

The Turkish citrus season is now in full swing, "Lemons are scarce and in demand, and the large grapefruit programs are starting now. The market for the Washington Navel is currently very good right and large volumes of Mineola's are available. This year the Mineola's are very good and taste great. The quality and taste of the Turkish citrus does not lag behind other producing countries, but the price there is always much sharper. We are able to package a high quality product very well. This week we started plucking and packaging W Murcott. W Murcott is a deluxe variety. We will start with Mandora in week 6," says Frans.

Sales increase in U.S. and Canada

We have a transport department (since September, 2015), we can respond quickly to demand and we can supply to anywhere in the world. Approximately 40% of the products are loaded into containers, and we supply products to more than eleven ports in the EU on a weekly basis. We have expanded our sales regions to include the U.S. and Canada. Our customer base has grown, we have sales in 21 countries in the EU and three large retail partners." 

"We are still expecting large volumes of citrus this season. Russia is closed, so supply to the EU has increased. Growers are registering with our growers association, Agromall, and there is too much supply. We have sales under control but we will compete to sell the extra volumes, which we package," continues Frans. "We have the power and we are confident we will be able to do this. We are currently experiencing extreme growth in the number of packaged boxes we are selling. We knew that this could be our year, but we could not have imagined that we would be packaging and selling as much as we are."

Agromall/R&F Import Export will be at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in hall 1.1, stand F-06.