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Fruit & vegetables

Export value chain analysis of the Jordanian fruit and vegetables sector

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The Jordanian production of fruit and vegetables is considerable and even has room for expansion. Exports to most of its traditional markets Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Eastern Europe and Russia are under severe pressure because of closed borders, due to the Syrian crisis. Alternatives to reach the Eastern European and Russian markets, aren’t competitive or couldn’t be realised so far. Exports to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are rising but cannot compensate all losses. For exports to high end markets, such as EU / EFTA, the sector doesn’t have the capacity yet.Read More »Export value chain analysis of the Jordanian fruit and vegetables sector

Marketing support to Palestinian Cash Crops Project

In the past months, ProVerde provided marketing assistance to the Palestinian Cash Crops Project. The current Gaza cash crop export sector was evaluated, including shipping, exporting, sales and marketing channels.

Against the background of rapidly changing market conditions and a challenging political situation, plans were drawn for the future path of the cash crop sector and the role of PARC and the cooperatives in its development.Read More »Marketing support to Palestinian Cash Crops Project

Study on the Kenyan-Dutch Horticultural Supply Chain

On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I), a study is carried out to obtain detailed insight into the performance of the Kenyan-Dutch horticultural supply chain.

The Dutch government-funded study exposes a host of minor and major bottlenecks and inefficiencies – and kick-starts sector-wide involvement in setting new industry standards for quality, cost efficiency and sustainability.

Read More »Study on the Kenyan-Dutch Horticultural Supply Chain

EU to introduce uniform food labelling

All 27 EU member states will have to adhere to new rules on food labelling, giving consumers more information about the nutritional aspects of packaged food products. The new EU food labelling laws were given the last nod by the European Parliament last week and are expected to enter into force in three years’ time, giving food manufacturers ample time to adapt to the new regime.
Read More »EU to introduce uniform food labelling

Horticulture situation in Poland in 2010 and 2011

In 2010/11, Poland’s fruit and vegetable output recorded notable declines due to adverse weather patterns. Tighter raw material stocks should reflect itself in lower output of fruit and vegetable preserves for nearly every product. In 2011/12, horticultural production should rebound but farmers and processors must face new challenges holding unforeseen consequences on the market, such as rising costs, lingering concerns over E Coli and Russia’s embargo of Polish fresh vegetables. Initial forecasts are for increased production of juices and exports of fresh apples, stronger export prices for strawberries but weaker for fresh apples and apple juice.
Read More »Horticulture situation in Poland in 2010 and 2011

European imports of fruit and vegetables vs self-sufficiency

As the climate in the EU is not suitable for the production of tropical fruit, the EU relies on imports of tropical fruits such as bananas –the most popular fruit in Europe–, pineapples, kiwifruit, avocados and mangos.

Temperate and sub-tropical species such as citrus fruit, grapes and pears are imported as well, but mainly in out of the European growing season. Countries in the southern hemisphere are able to supply when the countries in the northern hemisphere can not. This is also known as counter-season supply. For fruit products that can be stored, such as apples, the counter season is less evident. With the continual improvements in storage life and storage conditions of fruit products, the off-season is shortened.Read More »European imports of fruit and vegetables vs self-sufficiency

New logo selected for all EU organic products

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The European Commission has officially announced the winner of the EU organic logo competition. Over the past two months, some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. The winning design is by Dusan Milenkovic, a student from Germany, who gained 63 % of the overall vote for his “Euro-leaf” logo. From July 1, 2010, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. It will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label. The organic farming regulation will be amended in the coming weeks to introduce the new logo into one of the annexes.Read More »New logo selected for all EU organic products

Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit and vegetables

fruitandvegetables150x150The EU market for fresh fruit and vegetables is declining in volume but growing in value. In much of the eastern European Union consumption is still growing and consumers are shifting from basic fruit and vegetables towards more diverse produce, including exotics. At the same time, the availability there of other food products, such as snacks and fast food, is a source of heated competition for fresh fruit and vegetables. The markets in countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy and France are large but nearly saturated. Only certain market niches and product groups provide opportunities for growth.

More and more EU entrepreneurs in this business are opting for offshore outsourcing, i.e. moving parts of the production process to developing countries (DCs). As they face increasing pressure to improve, many of them consider offshore outsourcing a strategic means of lowering production costs, increasing their own company’s capacity for products with a higher added-value outsourcing products with a lower added-value. While the number of fruit and vegetable growers in the EU has been declining for decades, their involvement in offshore fruit and vegetable growing is increasing.Read More »Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit and vegetables

Mango value chain

The mango is slowly conquering European markets. Although it still only holds a small share of the total fresh fruit market, demand for this juicy tropical fruit is growing in almost every EU country.

CBI just published an interesting video about the mango value chain illustrating their efforts to assist the Mali sector to step up to European markets standards. The video can be viewed at: mango value chain videoRead More »Mango value chain