Avocado demand has exploded worldwide, largely due to the fruit's much publicised health benefits. Israeli farmers are also set to strike it big from the fad, thanks to demand for the fruit in Europe. Israel has exported 100,000 tons of avocados so far in 2016, and is one of the only countries which exports to Europe in the winter, as South American grower countries export to Europe in the summer only.
Nicolaus Vorwerk from Agora America GmbH said that he expects the European guacamole market will continue to grow. The importer affirms that the guacamole market has grown a lot snce the company was founded in 2013, and that it will surely continue to grow. The German importer is currently shipping 30 containers of guacamole per year to Germany, Turkey, Norway and the Netherlands.
The popularity of avocados is also booming in China, a country where the tropical fruit was introduced just a few years ago. According to Mao Wei from Shanghai Viocar Imp&Exp Trade Co.,Ltd, Mexican avocados from Michoacan are preferred by Chinese consumers.
"So far our sales keep increasing, and the two following factors contributed to this: first of all, consumer understanding of the nutritional value of avocados has been increasing dramatically; secondly, upon the receipt of orders, we will inform our staff in Mexico for avocado picking, packing and transportations to China as early as possible. This helps us win more loyal customers and a high brand reputation." shared Mao Wei.
Apart from avocados to China, Mexican exporters also have their eye on Europe. With Marcos Ramírez from Jiraex asking the question back in September; "If Brazil exports to Europe, why doesn't Mexico?"
Traditionally, Mexico ships the majority of its agricultural exports to the United States, its closest neighbour; however, at present, more and more agricultural products are going to Europe, or even Asia. This is the case with the Persian limes, with the company attending the Worldfood trade show in Moscow, Russia, this September in order to start exporting to that market.
He explained that he has five action points to focus on. However, the two most important ones are making horticulture more attractive and creating more awareness for AMHPAC worldwide.
September events
The event season started picking up in September, with the 10th edition of Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. Companies from around the world visited and exhibited at the event to meet existing clients, but to also find new potential customers. Most return to the show year after year, but for those who were first time visitors, there was a lot of enthusiasm and they were very impressed with the show.
John, from Australian company, Fresh Select, said that; "It has become obvious that Asian consumers are looking for innovation. We had our kalettes on the stand in Hong Kong and there was huge interest in those and also in our new baby broccoli varieties."
Grapes from California held an event called “Taste the Dream – Grapes from California” at the Renaissance Capital Beijing Hotel during Asia Fruit Logistica. Dozens of media and numerous gourmet-food connoisseurs from different fields were invited to appreciate table grapes from California. The next day, fresh grapes from California were circulated in the Beijing Yintai Mall and presented to consumers just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The following week brought the event World Food Moscow 2016. A food fair in the broadest sense of the word: from dairy, fish, meat and sweets to fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables were an important part of the fair. No less than two halls of pavilion 2 were occupied by 352 fresh produce companies from 40 countries. These companies trade in products such as fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, and fresh and processed mushrooms. Suppliers of, for example, packing machinery and materials, industrial and commercial equipment were represented at the fair as well. The fair was visited by 30,000 people from a number of countries.
The Polish market has found itself at a crossroads in recent years and the Fresh Market Warsaw 2016, held on the 23rd of September, seemed to reflect it. Historically a mostly Polish conference, many visitors commented that they had noticed a big shift in types of visitors and a much stronger international presence.
Apple growers took to the streets in the second week of September to protest the low pricing situation they were being faced with in Poland. Organised by the Association of Polish Fruit-Growers (Związku Sadowników RP), growers said there was very little difference between the price they are able to sell their apples for in the market, compared to what the apples cost to produce.
During the Fresh Market Warsaw event, we visited apple grower La-Sad who is one of the growers that make up the apple consortium Appolonia, the largest group in Poland, made up of 19 producers across 4 regions.
"Everybody has seen that we know what we are doing and are delivering good quality. For many years, Polish apples didn't have the reputation of being good quality apples, but we have now proven to our partners that 'yes we can'. We have known ourselves for a while that 'we can', but we needed the time to build the good reputation that we could give worldwide quality. Branded activity is very different than placing unnamed products on the market, so we needed partners who were ready to develop the brand position and we have had some good starts with our partners in Vietnam and have a lot of hope for the future." said Michal Lachowicz, President of La-Sad and Appolonia.