Foreign nations look to U.S. with interest in fresh produce
Foreign nations look to U.S. with interest in fresh produce
BASILICATA, ITALY -- Produce professionals from around the world kept busy at the workshop and mission in Basilicata, Italy, in mid-January (see The Produce News, Feb. 5). If the nearly non-stop wave of Italian food and wine weren't enough to keep their minds on what the region has to offer, the extensive field, packing and distribution facility, and greenhouse tours were filling their days full of details on which to concentrate.
But these savvy professionals didn't miss the opportunity to speak with fellow travelers from the United States to learn more about what U.S. producers can offer.
The workshop and mission, hosted by the region of Basilicata and the Italian (National) Institute of International Commerce for the Puglia and Basilicata regions, included a group of 25 produce professionals and media representatives from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Russia and the United States, which was represented by Tim (TJ) Fleming Jr. and Franco Alimondi, produce buyers for Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. in Chicago.
Jos? Mar?a Navarro Acedo, technical team leader, represented International Produce, headquartered in West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. The firm sources produce for ASDA, the country's second-largest retailer and a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.
"We have developed an industry-leading range of imported fresh products including apples, pears, melons, stone fruit, grapes and citrus," said Mr. Acedo. "I work predominantly with the Italian division of ASDA, but we source from around the world. We are particularly interested in several products that are being produced in the United States currently, including citrus and peaches. There is also a lot of interest currently in the honeydew and other melon varieties being produced there. Some of the new melon varieties are superior to what we can find in other parts of the world today."
Russian representatives agreed that some U.S. products are unmatched in their quality. Ekaterina Ukhanova, purchasing director of Greenfields Service in Moscow, which supplies grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, catering companies and other high-end foodservice operations, said that her interest was piqued when she saw the opportunity to speak to people from the United States about the fruits and vegetables grown there and how those items fit into the lifestyle trends of Russians.
"We are always interested in expanding into new territories and products to enhance our high-quality line, and we are looking to the U.S. for some items that we feel meet our criteria," said Ms. Ukhanova. "Moscow definitely likes American products, although they are more expensive than European goods. We are currently buying apples, pears, grapes and pomegranates from American growers, but we are looking to expand into new items. Our supermarkets are fond of long-stem strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and red and yellow raspberries. Other areas of strong interest currently are cherries - both dark and yellow."
Ms. Ukhanova said that American products have some eye-catching details that Russian consumers like. She said that when the company first introduced U.S. products, Russian clients were not prepared to pay the high price.
"But as time passed and they began to realize the high quality that U.S. produce offered, the situation began to change," she said. "People tasted the fruit and started to ask for more. I remember the season a few years ago when the demand for U.S.-grown Red Delicious apples reached the same level as European apples. We even began supplying mid-range supermarkets with the apples, and although they still cost more, people are willing to spend the money because of the superior quality."
Ms. Ukhanova stressed the need for companies like hers to learn more about U.S. produce. To Russian consumers, it's a new line of produce, and like anywhere in the world, the new guys on the block always get the most attention. She added that the problem is that Russians still know very little about U.S. production.
"It would be very interesting to learn more about the assortment, production techniques, grading, packing and other details," she said. "Gaining this knowledge could open some very strong trade opportunities between our countries."
Bharat Bushan, sales and marketing manager of the general purchasing department at Abu Dhabi National Hotels, which purchases for Hilton International, Le Meridien, Sheraton and Al Diar hotels in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, agreed with Ms. Ukhanova about the uniqueness and high quality of products like apples from the United States.
"The issue is the distance between the U.S. and the Emirates," he explained. "Abu Dhabi is a wealthy nation today, and consumers do have the money to spend, but like anywhere in the world, price is something we must keep under tight reign and be able to justify in our budget. I would like to know more about products that are unique, have long shelf life profiles and that could reach us in a timely manner without the costs becoming prohibitive."
Alberto Camisa, representing Fratelli Camisa, a chain of specialty gourmet food stores in the United Kingdom, has strong ties with Italy because of the Italian theme represented in the retailer's culture. Although its primary strength is meats, cheeses, prepared foods and other specialty goods, the company also offers fresh produce. He agreed that learning about U.S. product is key to successful trade between companies and countries.
"At present, we do not import from the U.S., but it is a section of the market which we have been considering entering for some time," said Mr. Camisa. "We would welcome the opportunity to learn more about specialty and gourmet fruits and vegetables that fit our profile."
Diana Papuc, who handles import procurement specialties for Davis (Louth) Ltd. in the United Kingdom, said that the company imports, exports and distributes the finest fresh fruit, vegetables and salads from around the world.
"We are a 100-plus-year-old company known for its expertise in the fresh produce industry," said Ms. Papuc. "Since the 1940s, the family owners have been known for their expertise in the production and distribution of fresh produce. I agree that importing more from the U.S. is only a matter of learning more about product and determining how it will fit into our category. Trade has opened up an entirely new world to every country on earth, and anything is possible today. I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about what the U.S. has to offer our company."
But these savvy professionals didn't miss the opportunity to speak with fellow travelers from the United States to learn more about what U.S. producers can offer.
The workshop and mission, hosted by the region of Basilicata and the Italian (National) Institute of International Commerce for the Puglia and Basilicata regions, included a group of 25 produce professionals and media representatives from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Russia and the United States, which was represented by Tim (TJ) Fleming Jr. and Franco Alimondi, produce buyers for Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. in Chicago.
Jos? Mar?a Navarro Acedo, technical team leader, represented International Produce, headquartered in West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. The firm sources produce for ASDA, the country's second-largest retailer and a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.
"We have developed an industry-leading range of imported fresh products including apples, pears, melons, stone fruit, grapes and citrus," said Mr. Acedo. "I work predominantly with the Italian division of ASDA, but we source from around the world. We are particularly interested in several products that are being produced in the United States currently, including citrus and peaches. There is also a lot of interest currently in the honeydew and other melon varieties being produced there. Some of the new melon varieties are superior to what we can find in other parts of the world today."
Russian representatives agreed that some U.S. products are unmatched in their quality. Ekaterina Ukhanova, purchasing director of Greenfields Service in Moscow, which supplies grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, catering companies and other high-end foodservice operations, said that her interest was piqued when she saw the opportunity to speak to people from the United States about the fruits and vegetables grown there and how those items fit into the lifestyle trends of Russians.
"We are always interested in expanding into new territories and products to enhance our high-quality line, and we are looking to the U.S. for some items that we feel meet our criteria," said Ms. Ukhanova. "Moscow definitely likes American products, although they are more expensive than European goods. We are currently buying apples, pears, grapes and pomegranates from American growers, but we are looking to expand into new items. Our supermarkets are fond of long-stem strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and red and yellow raspberries. Other areas of strong interest currently are cherries - both dark and yellow."
Ms. Ukhanova said that American products have some eye-catching details that Russian consumers like. She said that when the company first introduced U.S. products, Russian clients were not prepared to pay the high price.
"But as time passed and they began to realize the high quality that U.S. produce offered, the situation began to change," she said. "People tasted the fruit and started to ask for more. I remember the season a few years ago when the demand for U.S.-grown Red Delicious apples reached the same level as European apples. We even began supplying mid-range supermarkets with the apples, and although they still cost more, people are willing to spend the money because of the superior quality."
Ms. Ukhanova stressed the need for companies like hers to learn more about U.S. produce. To Russian consumers, it's a new line of produce, and like anywhere in the world, the new guys on the block always get the most attention. She added that the problem is that Russians still know very little about U.S. production.
"It would be very interesting to learn more about the assortment, production techniques, grading, packing and other details," she said. "Gaining this knowledge could open some very strong trade opportunities between our countries."
Bharat Bushan, sales and marketing manager of the general purchasing department at Abu Dhabi National Hotels, which purchases for Hilton International, Le Meridien, Sheraton and Al Diar hotels in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, agreed with Ms. Ukhanova about the uniqueness and high quality of products like apples from the United States.
"The issue is the distance between the U.S. and the Emirates," he explained. "Abu Dhabi is a wealthy nation today, and consumers do have the money to spend, but like anywhere in the world, price is something we must keep under tight reign and be able to justify in our budget. I would like to know more about products that are unique, have long shelf life profiles and that could reach us in a timely manner without the costs becoming prohibitive."
Alberto Camisa, representing Fratelli Camisa, a chain of specialty gourmet food stores in the United Kingdom, has strong ties with Italy because of the Italian theme represented in the retailer's culture. Although its primary strength is meats, cheeses, prepared foods and other specialty goods, the company also offers fresh produce. He agreed that learning about U.S. product is key to successful trade between companies and countries.
"At present, we do not import from the U.S., but it is a section of the market which we have been considering entering for some time," said Mr. Camisa. "We would welcome the opportunity to learn more about specialty and gourmet fruits and vegetables that fit our profile."
Diana Papuc, who handles import procurement specialties for Davis (Louth) Ltd. in the United Kingdom, said that the company imports, exports and distributes the finest fresh fruit, vegetables and salads from around the world.
"We are a 100-plus-year-old company known for its expertise in the fresh produce industry," said Ms. Papuc. "Since the 1940s, the family owners have been known for their expertise in the production and distribution of fresh produce. I agree that importing more from the U.S. is only a matter of learning more about product and determining how it will fit into our category. Trade has opened up an entirely new world to every country on earth, and anything is possible today. I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about what the U.S. has to offer our company."
