B.C. cherry exporter looking to drum up more EU opportunities

Fruit Logistica was a great opportunity for Canadian cherry exporter, Coastal Fruit Company, to drum up more business for the European market. The B.C. company currently sends their cherries to the Middle East, parts of Europe and SE Asia, primarily to Vietnam and large Asian cities such as Bangkok and Singapore.

Walter Giesbrecht, Export Manager and Audrey Asanias, Procurement Manager from Coastal Fruit Company.

Last season was a challenging summer for B.C. cherries, we had a real hot spell at the half way point of the season which directly impacted the quality in the field. However, while the growers struggled with growing issues, the weak Canadian dollar against the USD also worked in their favour. World markets are based on the US dollar which meant a better return for Canadian growers.

The company sends out the same varieties of Canadian cherries to all of its markets. They send out the Sovereigns, Sweet Hearts, Lapins at the beginning of the season, then finish off with the Sentennials and Staccatos and different other varieties in between like Rainiers. Most of the cherries are sent out in 5kg or 9kg boxes, but some growers are also equipped to ship 2kg boxes.

“We have our people on the ground in the packing facilities inspecting every shipment that goes out. If it doesn’t pass our quality control standards, the shipment will always get kicked before it goes to the airport," said Walter Giesbrecht, Export Manager for CFC.

"Coastal Fruit Company has been around for 7 years, we have a great relationship with our growers and with our quality control team inspecting the cherries from packing facility to packing facility, we have a very unique system of making sure that our customers get the best quality."

For more information:
Walter Giesbrecht
Coastal Fruit Company
Tel: +1 604 537 9147
Email: walter@coastalfruit.com
www.coastalfruit.com