It has been slightly over a month since lives have changed from one end to another due to the Corona outbreak in Europe, the ME, the Americas and Russia. For the first time since WW2, the entire Horti-Cultural, Gastro and Catering industries have been, literally speaking, forced to shut their doors down. Unfortunately, strange and even apocalyptic sights of empty streets, parks and various boardwalks have replaced our typical scenery of sidewalks packed with people storming over any possible vacancy in restaurants, coffee shops and other leisure spots. Consequently, the Corona Era, whether we like it or not, is the single most disastrous threat the Fresh Herb Industry has ever faced.
Europe Retail Packing B.V. of Holland with subsidiaries in Israel, Africa and other regions advise that swift actions must be taken to save the industry from total annihilation. According to ERP, only continuation in supply can assist the industry to successfully overcome this period.
"Agricultural fields do not abide to human rules, they cannot isolate themselves for a given period and return later as if nothing has taken place. On the contrary, unless we nurture the fields and keep them up and running, we might find ourselves in a Post-Corona World with a healthy demand but no supply". Strongly stated by ERP.
Tallying to that is the notion that aside from supply, the Fresh Herbs sector is highly dependable on created demand. In other words, consumers have become accustomed to the fact that their consumption is based on implanted desire that is later translated into actions. For instance, a TV show displaying a chef preparing a fancy dish of exceptional taste could create the needed desire for the viewer to take the appropriate action of either heading to a restaurant to enjoy this dish or shopping for the ingredients to cook the dish at
home. "One way or another, desire is essential for demand the same way as continuation of the fields is essential to supply".
Europe Retail Packing B.V. has made its strategical choice to continue, despite the obstacles, in serving clients and assisting growers. "We fully understand and comprehend that odds are against us but unless we take this move, there will be no industry to return to.
Instead of sitting idle watching the news and praying for better days, we have decided to take whichever action needed for the benefit of supplying clients and procuring from growers". Claimed by ERP.
Europe Retail Packing B.V. continues by saying that air-freight has become so limited and scarce that instead of it being one of the industries strengths, it is now its biggest weakness. Getting flights out of Africa, Israel and / or any other region is a complicated challenge where at times no solution can be found. Consequently and due to high demand deriving from all industries and not just the Agricultural one, costs have risen respectively making any single shipment more expensive. "At times such as these, our ability to find immediate solutions is being tested. Fortunately however the consolidation philosophy of which we have taken years ago is finally proving its worth. We manage to bring product via own farms in Holland and through partners in Germany, Spain and Italy. To make up and ensure we maintain the full range, our subsidiaries and companions have excelled in getting suitable air-space from Israel, Kenya and Ethiopia. Therefore and despite all, we have daily availabilities of nearly the entire Herb range to be supplied at a day's notice".
Currently and gladly we are entering the local season where production can definitely sustain demand. Glasshouses in Holland already present excellent yield in Coriander, Chervil, Dill, Rosemary, Thyme and even Basil. Same is true for Parsley and other lines in Spain and Germany. So now and despite limited sir space availability, our clients can have the confidence that their efforts in creating demand will not go astray. There will be supply, whether local or imported, to back their orders up.
"The Corona Crisis has made us realize and more importantly learn that only together we can prevail. No single person and / or company can sustain this period without the indirect assistance of the other. We are all, counterparts and competitors, in the same boat and carry the same fate. Therefore, pressuring for more business now is more important than ever before". Stated by ERP.
As time progresses, it appears that the world is learning how to cope with the crisis and it is already possible to start thinking of an exit strategy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we really believe that within a short period of time, some of the lost demand will be recovered. In the meantime, Europe Retail Packing B.V pledges to continue and assist any grower for as much as possible and, most importantly, keep the industry's flames up and burning.
Omer Kamp
Europe Retail Packing B.V.
Tel: +972 54-6512199
Email: Omer@erpnl.nl
www.europeretailpacking.nl