A recent trade event in Brazil saw Marta Bentancur, president of the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE), outline the challenges and opportunities for the regions' exporters regarding the global market, the economic crisis and food safety issues.
Speaking at Fruit & Log, which took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 8-10 September, Ms Bentancur highlighted current market trends, explaining that stricter legislative demands must now be adhered to to meet customer demand.
'Fresh produce suppliers need to cope today with a difficult equation with lower volume and lower prices leading to lower income while costs to match new customer requirements as well as logistic and social costs are on the increase,' said Ms Bentancur.
Ms Bentancur added that, during the economic slowdown, suppliers needed to remain innovative and stay responsive to changing demand for concepts such as seasonal or local produce.
'SHAFFE members are currently evaluating and providing responses to new society concerns,' she said. 'The forthcoming annual meeting of SHAFFE will review the process of investigation and consider joint action and positions on matters such as the carbon footprint.'
She noted that it was important for Southern Hemisphere exporting countries to collaborate on matters relating to safety and quality.
SHAFFE members include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Peru and Uruguay.
