"Certificates are good, but you also have to prove yourself to your customers"

At the Eden Fruits company in Kehl, the European distribution partner of Ziban Fruits, the peak season is just around the corner. Eden Fruits trades in dates from Algeria and has also been certified Organic since the beginning of this year.

"The main season for us is just beginning, with the orders," says Cornelia Abou-Kunz, who is responsible for quality management at Eden Fruits. "Harvesting always takes place in October, at the production sites in Algeria. The manager buys the product there and it is packaged on the spot." The dates are placed in wooden or styrofoam serving bowls and packed in a shrink wrap with a label. Depending on the wishes of the customer, the bowls can be filled with 200g, 400g or 500g. The labels can also be customized.

Currently, between 6 and 8 containers are sent every day. Two of those travel to the US; one month for travel to the East Coast and two months to the West Coast. The remainder is distributed via German wholesalers, so that the Eden Fruits Dates arrive Europe-wide on the shelves of Edeka, Kaufland, Lidl and Aldi. The company only works with batches of 33 pallets or more. "That's a lot, but it makes everything somewhat cheaper."

From Algiers to France and the world
"Everything is packed by Ziban Garden in Biskra, Algeria. From Algiers, the dates are then sent by pallet in a refrigerated container to Marseille in France, where they are picked up and loaded by our first recipient Abitrax." Abou-Kunz appreciates the work of Abitrax: "It is a small company, but they are very good. You get the complete package; the pallets are loaded but can also be stored temporarily, if necessary. "

Eden Fruits imports dates of the Deglet Nour variety, from conventional and organic growers. The exact class of dates to deliver depends: "Grade C currently costs around $2.40 and is mostly used for processing; for energy bars for example. Our organic commodity costs $2.70. In addition to the dates from Algeria, the company also imports smaller quantities from Tunisia. "However, they are not that sweet and need to be mixed with glucose, which does not go down well with customers."

The sweet fruits are especially popular for Christmas and Ramadan. For these occasions they are often filled with marzipan, nuts or chocolate. At Eden Fruits itself, however, the dates are not processed: "This is very cumbersome and the hygiene rules are very strict."

The headquarters in Kehl does not have its own warehouse but mainly takes care of the overall organization and the quality management. One thing dear to the company: "When there are any problems, we always get on it immediately and document everything. This is excellent is good for our customers on the one hand, and for our certifications on the other hand. You always have to be able to trace exactly where the goods are coming from, in case of any problems. That does not just apply to organic products."

Biological future?
Conventional production still accounts for a large part of the business for Eden Fruits. And although a bio-certificate opens many doors, Ms. Abou-Kunz does not believe Eden Fruits' organic products will outnumber traditional crops. "Organic dates are bigger and more beautiful, but also more expensive. Accordingly, the processors are more likely to choose grade C." She goes on to explain:" Of course the organic certificate has a positive effect on our clientele, but you also have to prove yourself. That's why we were at the BioFach in Nuremberg and the Fruit Logistica this February. And we will be present there again in 2019. "

Take a look at the Ziban Garden catalog here.

For more information:
Cornelia Abou-Kunz
Eden Fruits GmbH
Tel.: +49 7851 / 63 67 167
info@edenfruits.de