Despite challenges like price differences and logistical issues, Roelant Komen of BeFair Bio sees positive developments in the organic sector. This Dutch company specializes in importing overseas organic fruits and vegetables. It benefits from the rising demand for organic products, although there is still work to achieve the Green Deal's ambitions.
Post-pandemic recovery and inflation dip
The demand for organic fruit is recovering after its decline due to inflation and the post-pandemic period. During the pandemic, the focus was on health and the environment, boosting organic demand. However, inflation made organic too expensive for many consumers. The market is now stabilizing, partly thanks to increased wages.
European harvests and seasonal influences
The timing of overseas fruit demand depends heavily on European harvests. Consumers prefer local organic fruit as long as it is available. BeFair Bio responds to this by being flexible with, say, the overseas lemon season. A surplus of European lemons complicated the South African and Chilean import season last year. Smaller European crops, though, provide opportunities for importers.
Room for overseas apples
The changing weather impacts crop volumes. Fewer European apples offer room for overseas apples from South America and New Zealand. These are regaining popularity after years of declining imports.
Conventional and organic prices differ
Shrinking the price difference between conventional and organic products remains a major challenge. Their higher purchasing prices and lower turnover rates often hike up organic products' prices. Supermarkets play a crucial role in increasing volumes and thus reducing price differences.
Client diversification
Besides supermarkets, BeFair Bio supplies wholesalers, organic stores, and processing sectors. This strategy minimizes dependence on large supermarket chains and helps optimize product sales.
Logistical challenges and inspections
Logistical delays and customs inspections make planning tricky. Containers can experience lengthy delays due to duplicate inspections, such as customs and Skal. That can be especially problematic with perishable fruits like limes.
Future perspective
BeFair Bio is committed to serving both consumers and growers and remains optimistic about the organic sector's future. Despite the issues, Roelant sees plenty of opportunities to import organic fruit and vegetables. People want produce such as avocados, mangoes, and limes year-round. The growing European market offers room for imports, provided it keeps expanding.
Roelant Komen
BeFair Bio B.V.
Poeldijk
Mob: +31 (0)61907 5650
[email protected]
www.befairbio.com