New deals bear fruit for W Cape firms in Asia, Europe
THE Fruit Logistica Trade Fair that took place recently in Berlin, Germany, has produced tangible results for two Western Cape-based companies, and promising leads for several others in the fruit industry.
The chief operating officer of Idea Fruit, Dumisani Davids, said they managed to secure new deals in South-East Asia and some parts of Europe for their peaches, apples and pears.
“We had fruitful engagements with representatives of companies from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, who were keen to source fruits from us as soon as the season starts.
Bangladeshi representatives want to buy just about everything from us for a new city in the north that is being industrialised.
“We also had some good orders from India and Malaysia,” said Davids.
Managing director of Uni-Choice Anton van Zyl said he had received orders from importers based in Canada, Europe, India and the Middle East.
“The best thing about the new orders for our citrus, table grape, apples, pears, butternut and pumpkin that we received is that they are long term,” he said.
Economic counsellor at the South African embassy in Berlin Jacob Moatshe reiterated that Germany was the most important market for South Africa, especially in the fruits and nuts sector.
He said South African products were appealing to the German market.
He expressed the embassy’s gratitude to the SA fruit industry and related associations for their relentless efforts in producing an outstanding showpiece that demonstrated the South African capacity.
“We would also like to commend the Agricultural Research Council in Stellenbosch in partnering with the South African Table Grape Industry in modelling SA capability to the world at this international platform, through the launch of the new table grape cultivar.”