Spanish fresh produce marketing organisation Anecoop plans to tackle the challenges presented by the current economic downturn by increasing its size and reinforcing its structures, as well as further expanding its business in Russia and other new markets.
The Valencia-based company is aiming to increase the level of integrated cooperatives in its structure to “a minimum of 40 per cent”, while also securing further grower associates to complete its product ranges.
Speaking at the company’s sixth annual meeting in Valencia, Anecoop France managing director Miguel Abril Nevot told delegates that increasing its number of associated producers would also help Anecoop to fill any gaps in its production calendar.
“We’re in the middle of a very difficult time with a very strong economic crisis, while there is also growing competition from non-EU countries,” said Mr Abril. “The response of Anecoop will be to increase our size and reinforce our structures.”
Mr Abril told delegates that the company would also aim to further strengthen its sales network following the opening of Anecoop Russia through the improvement of facilities and expansion of activities in markets such as Poland, the Czech Republic and France.
Anecoop hopes its continued growth will be assured through the development of new products that, said Mr Abril, “anticipate consumer demand” and to this end the company has recently developed a new ranges of ‘Bouquet Bio’ organic products.
During the 2007/08 campaign, Anecoop marketed 283,933 tonnes of citrus, 110,395 tonnes of vegetables and salads, and 152,186 tonnes of fruit, including berries, melons, watermelons, grapes and stonefruit.
