Simply Sundried sets sites on European market

Growth within the sundried tomato category has led South Africa based producer Simply Sundried to enter into an agreement with ZZ2, one of the largest growers of tomatoes on the continent. “That is a recent agreement, they stared three or four months ago setting everything up, so we’re ready now to expand,” says Marianne Van Der Laarse from Simply Sundried. “We’re ready to introduce the sundried tomato and onion products to Europe and the UK.”

Baobab – traditional tomato halves being freshly dried under the African Sun

Simply Sundried is unique in that its product is freshly sundried year round, according to Van Der Laarse. “The huge difference is that the product is freshly sundried. We’re also able to sun dry year-round, not on a seasonal basis. Others have to be stored. Stored sundried tomatoes lose colour and taste.”

Sundried cocktail or cherry tomatoes have a lot of applications within the snacking category, according to Ms Van Der Laarse. “They are not chewy, the shelf life is three to six months. Benefits we see are an attractive colour as well as taste and health benefits. Sun dried onions are also very interesting for the supermarket and catering industries. With the sundried onions, when fried less oil is absorbed because of the very short cooking time too.”

A new exciting product: Chewmato – sundried cherry tomatoes, ideal for snacking and salads

Simply sundried has been supplying local retailers for more than six years, and has begun the joint venture agreement to improve and expand capacity to service a bigger range of retail clients. “As we speak our capacity is expanding, including with other vegetable products,” notes Ms Van Der Laarse. “Depending on demand we will be able to supply.”

Pricing will depend on volume ordered by individual retailers, according to Ms Van Der Laarse. “This product will be most suitable for sea freight and it will be a competitive price for sure. We don’t foresee it will be more expensive than other products in the marketplace, especially because we will be in production year round,” she says.

Drying of tomato slices for pizza and salads.

Simply Sundried can also pack for other brands, and is in the process of integrating the house name with ZZ2. “The newly integrated brand will be ready to launch quite soon. We’ll supply according to requirements of each company and can do what customers ask for.”

For more information

Marianne Van Der Laarse

Simply Sundried

Tel: +27 82 388 2000

Email: gerard@simplygarlic.co.za

Website: www.simplygarlic.co.za