Jan Vermeiren has, after 12 years, bid farewell to Exofi Fresh Market in the European center in Brussels, Belgium. The experienced trader says it is time for a new challenge, but he is by no means done with the sector. "I think experience in this sector remains the most important thing, and with mine, I'm convinced I can still help many companies move forward," begins Jan.
Because after 35 years at the European center, Jan undoubtedly has that: experience. The fruit man in heart and soul got into the business at a young age. "My grandfather founded the AVM trading company in the early 20th century, which my father took over shortly after the Second World War. At the time, they mainly exported Belgian products to Germany and imported French products."
"My brother and I came in as the company's third generation. I decided to study first, but my brother, who's ten years older, threw himself into it. He decided to specialize in importing exotics. After my studies, I took my place in the business at the Brussels wholesale market," says Jan.
The trading bug finally bit him, and when Bud Holland acquired the family business in the 90s, Jan moved on to Poelaer Videla, which specializes in importing overseas grapes. Journeying through the companies Beltran and Pauwels, where Jan mastered the Spanish range, brought him to Exofi in 2011 as an independent sales agent. "I returned to the product group where everything started: exotics. We did a lot more, of course, but exotics stayed my first love. That was a perfect partnership for a long time. Until things started going wrong recently."
According to Jan, that was because of choices made by Exofi's owner, but Covid played a major role, too. "In our sector, even during the pandemic, there was still plenty of contact. That led to me becoming very ill, and I struggled with my health for a long time," he explains. Jan is, however, now fully recovered and ready for a new challenge.
"I'd prefer to remain active in this sector; it's stolen my heart. It's not always the easiest sector with unusual working hours and much change, but it's always appealed to me—the rhythm of getting up at 2 am and being home in the afternoon. The younger generation no longer wants such working hours, but I'm used to it and like it. It may sound strange to outsiders, but it's ideal for me. Not being stuck in traffic and losing two hours in traffic jams. That's great."
"But you must enjoy working at night. I'm used to it. Even without an alarm clock, I'm wide awake at 2 am. It's become part of me, and I hope to be able to give it everything for a while," says Vermieren. The experienced trader also still prefers doing so at the European Center in Brussels. "I think this is an experience job par excellence. The languages, fruit and origins knowledge, and contacts."
"These are things you learn and acquire along the way. That takes years of hard work and love for the profession. Is a production country disappearing due to climate problems? Then you must find alternatives. It doesn't suit everyone, and I'm sure, with my know-how, I can help many businesses move forward. I did that for years at my previous employers. I hope I'm still given that chance," Jan concludes.
For more information:
Jan Vermeiren
JVM Fruit
Tel: +32 (0) 475 860 980
Email: [email protected]