Wednesday September the 6th, the Asia Fruit Logistica 2017 edition will start in Hong Kong. The event is one of the annual highlights of the fresh produce industry and will last three days.
Asia's importance to the global industry is growing, as well as the exhibition itself. The development of the Chinese market is one of the drivers of this growth. The country's imports are growing year on year with the service industry and exports following the same trend.
Last year, around 75 Chinese companies participated in the event. This year, that number has gone up to over 170. The country's exports keep on growing steadily, however, it is the import market as well as the service industry and cold chain infrastructure development that has seen rapid growth in the last 5 to 10 years. These developments are on display now in Hong Kong.
Exports
China is a large exporter of garlic, ginger, onions, potato, carrots, apples, pears and pomelos.
Goodfarmer is one of China's larger export companies that has been present in Hong Kong for a number of years. Over time, the company's focus is gradually shifting from an export based firm to an export and import company. In recent years it has become one of the largest banana importers and is joined by other 'all-round' export firms, including Brilliance, Dalian Tianbo Green Foods, the Xingyeyuan Group, Lantao and Haisheng.
Botou Dongfang is one of a number of Hebei and Shandong producers that have their own booth. The current season seems to have had a positive start with pear exports are increasing. According to the international sales manager Wang Zhongjiang: "high-end exports to Europe and other markets looking for premium produce is increasing. Pear production is growing year on year, and focusing on quality and production control, we hope to benefit from this growth by increasing our exports." Other pear exporters present are Botu Lihong Fruit, Botou Pangong .
Apple exports are facing a difficult autumn with exports to India still on hold. Looking for additional markets, a number of apple growers and exporters are present in Hong Kong. Alfa Fruit Packers hopes to "develop additional markets in Southeast Asia". This year, a number of Gansu and Baishui apple producers, with local government support, are entering the international market. As in previous year, Shandong and Hebei producers are well represented.
China's product offering is also expanding. For example, there are a number of companies specialising in the production and export of lemons, as well kiwifruit. Chongqing Huida Lemon exports Anyue fresh lemons and limes. Qifeng Fruit has a booth for the second year, internationally sellings it green, golden and red-hearted Chinese kiwifruit. Foshan Fufi is building an international name with its Hainan litchee exports.
Importers
Imports into China are rapidly growing year on year. Popular products shipped are cherries from the USA and Canada, avocados from Middle and South America, cherries from Peru and citrus from Australia and South Africa.
More and more companies are entering this market, and the shift seems to increasing move from export-oriented trade houses to import-oriented. Like in previous years, a number of large Chinese import firms are present in Hong Kong. They include, Joy Wing Mao, Berda Fruit, Dalian Yidu, Fujian Jiutai Agricultural Development, Gold Anda, Shenzhen Kingship and Shenzhen Yuanxing
Together with growing imports and exports of more premium products, service provision in the industry is growing and improving.
Sorting technology providers Reemoon and MAF Roda are both showcasing their latest sorting line at the exhibition. Beijing Fruitong and Dehezi Artificial Environment Technology as a team present that can inform their clients about the latest product developments in cold storage technology, ripening, storage and freezing rooms.
Shanghai Jiuye Supply Chain Management makes entry into China possible through their well-development network of cold chain logistic services. Products can be checked and controlled during transport through data and temperate control devices from Deltatrak, who will be present with their American and Chines sales teams.
Finally, a couple of new names have appeared on the scene. Beijing-based fresh produce e-commerce company MissFresh is one of many new Chinese exhibitors at this year’s show. Speed of delivery and high quality are paramount for MissFresh, which has set up a cold chain logistics system to deliver fresh food to consumers’ doors within two hours.
“We’ll be showcasing our pre-warehouse model at Asia Fruit Logistica,” explains MissFresh head of marketing Zhang Yao. “We have established sorting centres in core cities across China together with community distribution mini-warehouses to provide a two-hour door-to-door delivery service.”