This year around mid-October, Cardell Export started exporting Juliet apples to Asia, which is one of the most important markets for organic apples. “It has been a great market for our Juliet apples for many years. Each season, we see an increase in our volumes exported to Asia. Our clients are always very satisfied. We do our best to please them and to develop our sales on this market,” explains Pascal Corbel of Cardell Export.
A logistic context even more difficult since the health crisis
This development in sales is worth noting in a context where logistics has become a daily challenge. “Shipping companies have created new lines and reduced some of them, which is unfortunately rarely to our advantage. The transport offer is reduced, in terms of the flow and the quality of the services offered by the companies. We are at the mercy of the transport hazards and delays caused by this situation. This is a reality, even more so since the health crisis. We must always deal with these new difficulties while continuing to offer optimal products and services to our clients. We have recently learned that shipping companies plan to reduce their speed as well in order to save on fuel, which could lead to further delays.”
Storage capacity that allows for long travels
The Juliet occupies a good position on the Asian market, thanks to its organoleptic qualities of course, but also its storage capacity which allows for several weeks of travel while keeping an optimal quality. “As far as consumers are concerned, the Juliet has conquered the Asian market because it is so sweet, crunchy and juicy, but also because it is a beautiful apple, in terms of aesthetics. The fact that it is an organic apple gives it an additional advantage because eating healthy is a real trend today. Our clients are very satisfied and continue to export it although it comes from far away. It has a good shelf life, much better than other varieties. So, even with a delivery time of 4 to 6 weeks, our clients are confident and do not hesitate to buy it, since they know they will have time to sell it.”
Smaller average caliber for optimal organoleptic quality
Many fruits have suffered from the summer heat and the drought, but the Juliet was relatively spared. “The advantage is that it is a late apple, so the trees were much less affected by the heat than other varieties. The calibers are smaller than expected, but the quality of the apples have not suffered and the nutrients came at the right time to guarantee an apple of excellent quality for this season.”
For more information:
Pascal Corbel
Cardell Export
pascal@cardell.fr