What do consumers actually want regarding tomatoes? Are the large, loose tomatoes over the hill? Do marketing and promotion have much influence on tomato consumption? The answers to these and many more questions were discussed during the commercial part on the second day of the Tomato Conference in Antwerp, Belgium. At the end of the day, trendwatcher Adjiedj Bakas spoke on the future and on what growers and traders had to bear in mind.
Shift to small tomatoes
Speakers of chains Colruyt, Metro, REWE and Asda presented numbers and trends from the fresh produce sector and the share of tomatoes in that sector. Shelf space for tomatoes is remarkably large in some supermarkets, some have nearly twenty strains in their assortment during certain periods. In recent years there has been a clear shift from large to small, speciality tomatoes.
From left to right: Christian van Vlorop (Frutial), Meik Schlürscheid (Frutival), Nico Scheffers (Edeka), Stefan Heinzmann (Edeka) and Siebrand Broens (Coöperatie Hoogstraten). Photo 2: Tom Lombaerts (Semillas Fito SA) and Filip Hermans (Rijk Zwaan). Photo 3: Dirk Blijleven (Aldi) and Yvonne Geurten (Harvest House), and finally photo 4 Pascal de Schrijver (Carrefour), Koen Lauwerysen (Den Berk) and Johan Vlaemynck (Tomato Masters).
Brands in the sector
Other speakers that day were the companies Autogrill, Elvea, Reynolds, Pink Lady and San Lucar. Autogrill has divided its customers into six target groups and indicated that these groups all have different interests and are all approached in a different manner. In the fresh produce sector it is difficult to introduce a brand and to put it on the map, but from stories of Pink Lady and San Lucar it became clear that they succeeded. Both brands can be found on the shelves of many supermarkets. This week we will publish articles about the presentations of the speakers.
The Tomato Conference 2016 was organised by LAVA, VCBT, BelOrta, Veiling Hoogstraten, REO Veiling, Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (research station for vegetable production), and Proefstation Hoogstraten. Both organisers and visitors spoke highly of the event.
www.tomatoconference2016.be