Some of the fresh-cut convenience sector's latest market trends will be up for discussion during the Freshconex 2010 Business Forum, offering trade professionals from the fresh produce convenience sector the opportunity to hear top international experts discuss topics such as innovation, technology and the environment.
The Forum, which consists of a series of brief 30-minute sessions, is part of the third edition of Freshconex, the international trade fair for fresh produce convenience that runs alongside Fruit Logistica 2010 on 3-5 February at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
Organised by Eurofruit Magazine and the United Fresh Produce Association, the three-day Business Forum covers the following topics:
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
New technologies for fresh produce convenience
Technological innovation is critical to the growth of the fresh convenience sector. The focus generally is on new packaging designs and materials that bring even more opportunities for convenience. But today the environmental impact of technological innovation is also critical to the future growth of the fresh convenience category.
10:00 – 10:30
New innovations in fresh convenience packaging design
Philip Downey, Market Director, Amcor Flexibles (UK) explains how shelf life is a key factor in the market success of fresh convenience products in the cold chain. Innovative packaging solutions can help open new doors for fruit and vegetable products.
11:00 – 11:30
Environmentally-friendly packaging for fresh produce convenience
Stefano Cavallo, Marketing Manager, NatureWorks (IT) is convinced: 'Fresh convenience products have to be packaged. New, environ¬mentally-friendly packaging systems now offer an opportunity for the sector to develop sustainable alternatives'.
13:00 – 13:30
Keeping the cold chain green for the fresh convenience sector
Judith Evans, Research Reader, London South Bank University (UK) and Director at Refrigeration Developments and Testings, University of Bristol (UK), points out that environmental awareness plays an increasingly important role for food retailers as well as for consumers. With this in mind, cold chain system suppliers need to develop green alternatives that enable the sector to benefit from existing growth opportunities.
14:00 - 14:30
Meeting retail requirements from fresh produce convenience
Bas Groeneweg, Managing Director and owner of PerfoTec B.V. (NL), is certain: 'Retailers expect high quality when it comes to fresh con¬venience products. Advanced systems using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) provide solutions that are specifically designed to preserve quality'.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Innovations in marketing for fresh produce convenience
Smoothies have taken the fresh convenience market by storm in recent years. What is the outlook for the smoothie market in Europe? What is the potential for future growth? Are there other new fresh convenience products in the pipeline that can enjoy similar success?
10:00 – 11:00
Overview of the European smoothie market
Elena Ripero Sola, Market Intelligence Team,- Zenith International Ltd (UK) and Patrick Wauters, Vice President for Northern and Eastern Europe, Chiquita International (BE), focus on the massive leap in sales figures for smoothies over the past few years. Which markets show the strongest growth? Where are new markets with potential for development in Europe?
11:00 - 11:30
New marketing concepts for the smoothie sector
Nicolas Lecloux, Executive Director, True Fruits (DE) illustrates how smoothies are now part of a wider product range and are being used by a growing number of companies to present a better product mix to a variety of consumers.
13:00 - 13:30
New niche marketing approaches for fresh convenience
Dennis Christou, Vice President of Marketing, Del Monte Fresh Produce (USA) shows how the expansion of the product range is crucial for the future growth of the fresh convenience sector. Companies are now looking for a variety of new products to attract the attention of consumers and boost sales figures – not only in the fresh produce segment.
14:00 - 14:30
Growth opportunities through innovation in convenience
Chris Groot, Marketing Project Manager, ENZA Zaden (NL) and Jeroen Rouppe, Manager of Biotechnology, ENZA Zaden (NL), are convinced: 'Fresh convenience products demand innovation – from the seeds to the supermarket shelf. The innovative varieties supplied by the leading seed companies are specifically aimed at developing new segments for the fresh convenience market'.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Improved logistics and distribution for fresh produce convenience
Food safety requires a reliable cold chain for fresh convenience products. What are the newest demands in food safety? Can Europeans learn from the American experience? And what innovations are driving change in the successful distribution of fresh convenience products?
10:00 - 10:30
Key drivers in food safety and fresh produce convenience
Dr. David Gombas, Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Technology, United Fresh Produce Association (USA), and Barry A. Eisenberg, Vice President of Technical Services, River Ranch Fresh Foods (USA), argue that Total Process Management – the key to an effective food safety programme in any fresh or fresh-cut operation – focuses on the education and training of personnel working in the field, handling or processing plant. But what works and what doesn't?
11:00 - 11:30
Audit harmonisation and fresh produce convenience
Dr. David Gombas, Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Technology, United Fresh Produce Association (USA), and Nigel Garbutt, Chairman, GlobalGAP (UK), promise that the Produce Good Agricultural Practices Harmonisation Initiative is gaining ground and now plays an important role in wider objectives for global harmonisation.
13:00 - 13:30
Produce traceability gains a new ethical dimension
Simon Derrick, Communications Manager, Blue Skies Products (UK), discusses how new traceability solutions enable consumers to make better, more conscientious purchasing choices when it comes to fresh convenience products.
14:00 - 14:30
Supply chain technology and its role in product integrity
Jim Lemke, Senior Vice President, CH Robinson Worldwide Inc. (USA), and Steve DiRubio, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Sensitech (USA), show how new technologies now ensure effective cold chain controls designed to maintain product integrity. These include new, improved refrigeration systems along with services and analyses to optimise business practices within the fresh convenience product cold chain.
