Beva Fruits speaks about decline of grapefruit sales worldwide

Global sales of grapefruit have continued to decline during the past decade, with some people attributing it to reports that grapefruit could have a bad reaction with certain types of medicines. The claims have been around for a long time, but were recently revised to include more medicines than previously mentioned.

Bruno Edery of Beva Fruits, who acts as grapefruit category manager for four retailers in France, says that he has noticed a growing general disinterest at consumer level in grapefruit, regardless of origin. “Even a country such as Japan, which has always been the ‘champion’ of grapefruit sales, has experienced a significant decline in sales. France on the other hand is still one of the countries where sales are good, and also this season we are experiencing a relatively good, stable market with acceptable price levels. But we have to be very aware of worldwide developments”.

Edery says that part of his company’s continued success in this category is based on the fact that he personally negotiates all grapefruit contracts with the four major retailers in France, and does so in the presence of his suppliers. He says this type of transparency – including the discussions around how to position the fruit and maintain sales – is the key to success in the fresh produce business.

Specialising in citrus from Florida, South Africa and Israel, as well as apples and pears from the southern hemisphere, Edery has seen other citrus items (such as oranges and easy peelers) growing as a category. “Let’s face it, grapefruit is a specialty product with a unique taste, and it has to compete with many other fresh produce items with a more ‘agreeable’ taste. Much is being done at retail level to push sales of items such as clementines, grapes, pineapples and other exotic fruits, and grapefruit is also lagging behind in this respect. My growers and I are hard at work to devise strategies to maintain our grapefruit sales, and we have to take all factors into account. But I find it hard to believe that the decline in grapefruit consumption should be attributed to one factor only, such as the possible reaction to certain types of medicine only”.

For more information, please contact:
Bruno Edery (CEO)
Beva Fruits France
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 80 08 07
Mobile +33 6 07 75 23 89
Fax +33 (0)1 41 80 08 09
Email: bruno@bevafruits.com
www.bevafruits.com