Strong presence from Central and Eastern Europe

Presentations, contacts and new business connections: FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 in Berlin (3-5 Feb.) will once again serve as a key marketing platform for Central and Eastern European countries. Over many years, this region has developed a strong presence at the leading international trade fair for fruit and vegetable marketing. More than 100 exhibitors from Central and Eastern Europe, including EU members Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary as well as Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia and other non-EU countries will be presenting a wide variety of products and services to an international audience of buyers and trade professionals next year. More than 50,000 trade visitors from 120 countries are expected to attend the event. This includes a large number of fresh produce trade professionals from across Central and Eastern Europe. FRUIT LOGISTICA is seen as a must for the region's fresh produce sector. A growing number of interested parties from Western Europe and overseas come to FRUIT LOGISTICA to make contact with exhibitors from Central and Eastern Europe and explore new business opportunities or joint ventures.

The many different interests pursued by the region's organisations and enterprises at FRUIT LOGISTICA, and the way the different countries present themselves as produce industry partners, are illustrated by the following examples from FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009.
 
Hungary strives for EU logistics centre
"The placement of 3 to 3.5 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables on domestic and regional markets, as we did prior to German reunification, appears to be a realistic goal", said Bela Mártonffy, Managing Director of Hungarian fruit and vegetable growers association FruitVeB, at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Nearly half of the fruit and vegetables grown in Hungary are sold on export markets. "We expect this export share to remain stable and are aiming to use the geopolitical advantages of Hungary as a new logistics centre for fruit and vegetables in the European Union", Mártonffy added. 
Nearly 100 grower's associations were organised in Hungary by 2004. Following consolidation, this number has since decreased by around 50%. Associations currently account for 20% of total sales in the Hungarian fruit and vegetable sector. The aim is to increase sales based on this organisational form to 40% by the end of 2010. As a result of significant changes in the market environment over the past few years, the 60:40% ratio between processed and fresh produce has shifted in favour of fresh fruit and vegetable and is now 45:55%.
 
Russian import company values contact opportunities
Participation at FRUIT LOGISTICA was extremely successful for Baltfruit, one of Russia's five largest fresh produce import companies. "This is where we meet all our business associates and have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face dialogue on strategies and problems", concluded Anatoly Forsyuk from Import Departement. Baltfruit uses its own transport fleet to supply chain stores and retail outlets throughout Russia.
 
Poland seeks partners outside Europe 
"Poland's joint stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 continues to grow and we are getting bigger and better", said Marian Zalewski, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The neighbouring country values Germany as its key export partner for fruit and vegetables. 80% of its produce goes to European Union countries. According to Zalewski, the 43 enterprises at FRUIT LOGISTICA – including everything from growers to export companies – aim to find partners who are also based outside the EU.
 
36 companies from Serbia 
The American government agency USAID supported 36 Serbian companies exhibiting this year at FRUIT LOGISTICA. USAID has been working in the Balkan country since 2004 and assists the ministry in analysing the regional market situation and improving it for local producers. FRUIT LOGISTICA offers companies a chance to gain insight into successful marketing models. According to Remer Y. Lane, Head of Marketing and Exports for the USAID Agribusiness Project, "FRUIT LOGISTICA is the world's most important trade fair for fresh fruit. You simply have to be there""
 
Croatia already meets EU standards
Croatian growers are advancing into European markets. The ARGROFRUCTUS association organises production, purchasing and sale of fruit and vegetables from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Macedonia. Although Croatia has yet to become an EU Member State, it already supplies fruit and vegetables that are certified according to EU standards. "We are extremely pleased with our first visit to FRUIT LOGISTICA", said ARGROFRUCTUS Quality Manager Damir Karakas.

Source: Transportweekly