Fifteen loyal companies were present at the event in Berlin. Many business and commercial leaders made the trip in order to meet with buyers, but also producers, especially from Europe, Latin American and the Maghreb. The fair is a great opportunity for those who work the so-called “off-season” products. The annual meeting is always high in quality and much anticipated by all the companies of the platform. It is indeed possible to meet buyers from all over the world, in a very short amount of time, and in a context that combines professionalism with conviviality.
A wide range of products and services were presented in the hall France, on the 1,550 square feet of the group’s exhibition. Fruits and vegetables from Spain, Morocco or France, conventional or organic, were all sharing this space.
The panel was made complete by the presence of a supply forwarder, a company specialized in varietal research, another specialized in sorting and packaging equipment, a software firm as well as transport/logistics agents.
The commercial port of Port-Vendres was once again represented by its manager, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Perpignan.
As in the previous years, the booth benefited from many events organized by the Regional Agency for Economic Development AD’OCC.
For this 2019 edition, a cocktail of “Oysters and Foie Gras” was even offered by Sud de France and the MEDFEL organizers, in order to present the 1st elements of the 11th edition of MEDFEL, the next event for the fruit and vegetable sector in which the platform will participate.
The first impressions gathered from the participating companies at the end of the fair are very positive. Much like the companies specialized in the commercialization of organic products, which showed a growing valorization of their products, thanks to the many promotional actions like the “Organic Road”. The size of the fair is impressive: “Berlin remains a major event which requires a lot of preparation, but where the results are numerous and significant.”
Some exhibitors found that attendance was slightly lower than the previous years, but noted the high decision-making power of the buyers that were present, which makes this fair particularly strategic in terms of “export”. The Southern clients, from France or other areas of the Mediterranean, might prefer to attend the Fruit Attraction in Madrid, which takes place in October.
“It was a very good fair, right from the start.” It is important for the companies to be present at the fair each year.
The impression was very good for all 3 days of the fair, with some quality meetings, and not only with new prospects. “Berlin is the place to maintain and strengthen the relations of many years with some of our clients or suppliers.”
“The fair allows us, in 3 days only, to meet clients from all over the world: Australia, South Africa, Chile ... contacts that cannot be made at the fair in Madrid in October. On the last day, usually quieter, we had our first meetings at 8am.”
The regulars at this event in Berlin agreed that “this edition was very good, essential, with a strategic location in the middle of the hall France. The booth set up by Saint-Charles Export, brought a lot of satisfaction to the exhibitors who cannot wait to come back each year.”
All exhibitors highlighted the quality and professionalism of the visitors from all around the world, and they all agreed that the fair was predominantly oriented towards “export”.
The participating companies: Alma Transitaires, Aterbio, Caustier By STC, CCI - Port - Vendres, Festival, Fresh Forward Logistique - 2FL - Green Produce, Ille Roussillon, JMF Partenariat, Lacour, Legros Bio, Plenetude Informatique, Regal'In Europe/Agro sélection Fruits, Saint Charles-Export, Vialade Champignons.
Upcoming events:
MEDFEL - April 24th-26th, 2019 in Perpignan
Fruit Attraction - October 22nd to 24th, 2019 in Madrid
Saint-Charles International is the leading European platform for the marketing, transport and logistics of fresh fruits and vegetables. Located in Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales), the company has a worth of 1.95 billion euros [2.2 billion USD], 1,766,000 tons of fruits and vegetables, for 2,200 employees. The flows are mainly from regions of the Mediterranean.
Saint-Charles International is at the heart of the global departmental system (multimodal MP² platform) including the port terminal of Port-Vendres (270,000 tons), the Distriport of Boulou, the combined piggyback site of Perpignan.
For more information: communication@saintcharlesinternational.fr