8th February, 2012

NZ capability in fresh produce on show in Germany

New Zealand has a unique opportunity to showcase its strengths and secure new business at the world’s largest fresh produce trade event being held in Germany this week.

Each year Fruit Logistica, taking place in Berlin from 8 – 10 February, attracts more than 2,400 companies and 50,000 visitors from all parts of the world’s fresh produce value chain.

New Zealand companies exhibiting in 2012 include Plant & Food Research, Enzafruit, Zespri, BBC Technologies, Wyma Solutions, Fresh Appeal and Compac Sorting Equipment, with a range of other individuals and representatives also heading to Berlin.

The New Zealand presence at the event is being supported by the New Zealand German Business Association and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will be assisting exhibitors on the ground.

NZTE’s Trade Commissioner in Germany, Hamburg-based Marcus Scoliège says Fruit Logistica is an outstanding place for fresh produce companies to find new opportunities, make contacts and view the latest trends and innovations.

“It also ensures New Zealand capability is profiled to an international audience and gives our industry insights into current trends and issues.”

BBC Technologies, which produces fruit sorting equipment, is a good example of the impact attending Fruit Logistica can have, says General Manager Geoff Furniss. The company joined for the first time in 2011 and will be back in a bigger exhibition space this year.

“A number of potential customers saw us for the first time at Fruit Logistica and were excited by our technology. We stood out as being different and effective.

“Being there also adds to your credibility. Customers really like being able to come and meet you face-to-face,” says Furniss.

Peter Beaven, CEO of Pipfruit New Zealand, will also be at Fruit Logistica which he says is important both commercially and administratively for the pipfruit industry.

“It’s the place where all the Southern Hemisphere producers present their crop estimates and where you can find, under one roof, all the people you will be doing business with over the next year.

“Around 50 per cent of New Zealand’s export apples go to the European Union, so it’s also a very important market for us.”

He says New Zealand is seen as a technology leader and “a lot of the world looks to us for advances in areas like new varieties, growing strategies and environmental sustainability”.

Much of that innovation comes from Plant & Food Research which will be attending Fruit Logistica for the eighth time.

Wendy Cashmore, Manager – Plant Varieties for Plant & Food Research says it’s important for New Zealand businesses to be there.

“The event brings huge numbers of people from all around the world to one of Europe’s most sophisticated business centres (Berlin).

“Big operators like Tesco and Sainsbury have room after room at the event where they are conducting back-to-back meetings with suppliers. A lot of business is done at Fruit Logistica.”

A focus for Plant & Food Research this year is to promote its capability in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach which encourages the use of monitoring while minimising the use of chemicals. Gavin Ross, Plant & Food’s General Manager Business Development says the timing is spot on.

“New phytosanitary regulations, as well as the demands of the discerning customer, are putting increased pressure on producers and marketers to deliver high quality products with minimal environmental impact.

“Plant & Food Research has been pioneering IPM systems since the 1990s and New Zealand growers were early adopters with great results. We’re keen to discuss the benefits of this systems approach with a global audience.”

Find out more about the New Zealand exhibitors:

Enzafruit: www.enza.co.nz
Zespri: www.zespri.com
BBC Technologies: www.bbctechnologies.com
Wyma Solutions: www.wymasolutions.com
Fresh Appeal: www.fresh-appeal.com
Compac Sorting Equipment: www.compacsort.com
Plant & Food Research: www.plantandfood.co.nz

ENDS

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