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A new internet-based trading portal which claims to offer fresh produce traders around the world the opportunity to source products 'without intermediaries' is due to be launched at the start of 2011.

The portal, FruitCommerce.com, which is backed by Italian fresh produce company Agrifruit and the country's Cesena-based trade event Macfrut, aims to bring fresh fruit and vegetables buyers and suppliers together in a single, online marketplace.

'Our aim is to become a virtual market that will allow sales prices between buyer and seller to be agreed upon in real-time,' said a spokesperson for FruitCommerce.com.

'We want to offer a new service to operators in the sector, such as retailers, cooperatives and cooperative consortiums, producer organisations, importers, exporters, wholesales of all sizes and growers.'

The site is available in five languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) and will offer a range of product information including price, volume, quality, characteristics and any eventual complaints.

Payments will be made using a credit card and after the product has been received and approved by the buyer. A commission is paid to the site once a transaction s completed.

Registration is free of charge at: www.fruitcommerce.com