While the marketing of Portuguese oranges started at the beginning of November, that of the oranges with leaf kicked off in mid-November. "This year, we have started strong with the Newhall variety. We started marketing the one with the PGI last week," says Eric Tastayre, manager of Apifood. "Although the sizes are slightly smaller than last year, the volumes are normal and the quality is optimal, with a very good juiciness." Eric believes that he will be able to supply the Newhall variety until the end of January. Then in February, March and April, the Lanelate variety will take over.
"Every year there is more competition in the Portuguese leaf orange market"
Despite a good start to the season, the pressure on prices is considerable. "The competition is tough. Although our Portuguese orange with leaf was the first to hit the shelves, currently many companies are also marketing theirs, which is taking a toll on prices. However, our price levels tend to remain stable, which fairly reflects the efforts made by our growers to guarantee the supply of an orange of exceptional quality. If our customers choose us for the price, we hope they will come back for the taste."
"Agrumine is a guarantee of quality, which above all ensures taste excellence"
For Apifood, quality and flavor come first and are guaranteed by the Agrumine brand. "This is what we stand for. We prefer to sell less than to sell more with a quality that isn't optimal. This year, for example, we started the orange with leaf season ten days after our competitors, as we wanted to wait until we were fully satisfied with the quality of the fruit. To guarantee this excellence, our fruits are checked twice: once before being shipped to France, and again at their destination."
"Consumption is now back to normal levels"
Although Apifood recorded an increase of 30 to 40% of its turnover in the first months of the lockdown, for this second wave, consumption has returned to a normal dynamic for the season. "However, every year we increase our sales volumes by 10 to 15%, since we have an ever improving penetration rate among our producers and clients. Trust is gained, our clients are satisfied, so the following year they ask for more volumes."
"This year we celebrate our 30th anniversary"
Apifood celebrated its anniversary on October 20, 2020. "Apifood has been a beautiful adventure which we started from scratch and we hope to stay around for another 30 years. Today, Apifood has become a structured company, with a great commitment to quality that has been confirmed by an IFS Broker certificate. To celebrate this, we wanted to take part for the first time in Fruit Attraction, which was held exactly on the day we celebrate 30 years of existence. But it was canceled! Once the Covid-19 crisis is over, we want to celebrate the event properly and inaugurate our new warehouse in Moissac, intended to receive products from Portugal and guarantee even more rigor in the quality and follow-up controls.”
For more information:
Eric Tastayre
Apifood
Administrative building
Marché Gare
82030 Montauban
Tel: +33 5 63 20 22 50
M: +33 6 07 59 03 75
eric@apifood.com
apifood.com