Agrexco has two main potato-growing areas in Israel; the Maon region north of the Negev, where the majority of total export production is grown, and the Sharon area north of Tel Aviv that is responsible for the remainder. Potatoes are grown, harvested and packed following strict EurepGAP directives.
Agrexco offers full traceability for every pallet entering the UK. Each box has a seven-digit barcode showing the pesticide application record that remains with the product from point of harvesting through to arrival in the UK and subsequent despatch. Customers can identify the grower, the field, the type of chemical applied, the history of the field, treatments and soil preparation as required by EurepGAP’s protocol, enabling them to be confident about the quality.
Yaniv Yablonka, product manager in Agrexco’s London office, says: “Obviously we know there is strong competition from other Mediterranean suppliers, but we believe that in the last few years we have pushed forward with our production, and are now leaders of loose skin and set skin winter new potatoes as well as salad potatoes in the import market. The reason for this success is our attention to detail. Our food safety standards are second to none and together with the high level of service and logistics provided to our packhouses the end result is a top quality product.”
Agrexco continues to increase its production of new potatoes. Some 30,000 tonnes were sold in 2001-02, of which 22,000t were new potatoes, mainly Nicola. Volumes for this year are estimated at 40,000t, 25,000t of which are new - Nicola, Maris Peer, Carlingford and Vivaldi. The remainder are salad and main crop varieties including Exquisa and Charlotte. Bakers, reds and whites will follow these.
In the past few years Agrexco has worked hard to improve all aspects of production. In the field sowing is staggered to ensure availability of all sizes throughout the whole season to cover all programmes. “We can provide exactly what the customer wants; minis alongside larger at any time during the season,” says Yablonka.
In terms of produce handling Agrexco has made adjustments to its harvesters in order to reduce tuber damage. “The less agitation, the less bruising,” says Yablonka, “but a significant factor is the role played by the field workers - they now understand that by simply driving more slowly, bruising will be minimised and if they leave the harvested product exposed to sunlight too long, the colour will be adversely affected. Simple yet effective.”
The strength of Agrexco’s infrastructure and logistics comes into play once the crop is harvested. In order to fulfil programmes with a product that is of the same high quality on the shelves as when it was first picked, Agrexco maintains freshness by lifting the potatoes according to vessel departure schedules.
Supplies, stored in wooden crates as opposed to big bags that would damage fluffy skinned crops, arrive by vessel into four different UK ports as well as by a quick route via the depot in Marseilles using Agrexco’s new vessel. The grading station in Leeds - Makins, gives Agrexco full control of quality and traceability. The new grading line installed there giving more flexibility and accurate grading for this season.
Quality control inspections take place on a daily basis and the product is graded only to customer requirements according to individual specifications. The quality controller’s responsibilities also include reporting back to Israel on a daily basis; checking quality for each individual field, solving any technical issues and updating growers directly with the status of their crop in stock and on the grading line as well as dealing with customer complaints informing of possible problems with quality issues.
“Having a centrally located grading station is a distinct benefit,” says Yablonka. “It provides a strong logistical advantage, as transport is available and flexible. It has continuously given a good service to our customers by managing to fulfil our orders on time, and has risen to the frequent challenge of coping with last minute and unexpected orders.”
Agrexco has also concentrated heavily on the production of organic potatoes. The grower contact, logistical advantages and attention to detail are the same as for the conventional crop.
Rob Cullum, product manager for organics, says: “The station has the necessary OF&G certification - there are two grading machines and separate cold storage facilities. Our strength is that we can provide a freshly graded product with limited notice to our customers. This, together with the facilities offered in the grading station enables us to react quickly if faced with the unfortunate situation of late vessel arrivals which in turn could create a shortage in the market place.”
The organic season differs slightly from the conventional, starting later in December and running through to June. Growing areas are in the north east of Israel, in the Bet Shean Valley and in the Negev. Agrexco has achieved great success with Nicola and it aims to build on this with the addition of newer varieties in the portfolio. White varieties will be available as follows: Sante and Valor from March to June and Remarka from April to June. With the Reds, Rosanna, Laura and Desiree’ will be available from March to May. Other varieties are continually trialed in small volumes in order to assess their commercial abilities with customers. This year will see three or four semi-commercial trials on promising varieties, including Maris Peer.
Considerable research has taken place to establish the optimum packaging for sea freighting the organic line. After extensive trials with varying types of plastic, wood, collapsible and non-collapsible materials, the crop is now being packed directly in the field. “The current high demand for organic potatoes is both challenging and exciting and the growth potential is enormous,” says Cullum, “We plan to continue improving all aspects of the supply chain, thereby increasing volume and quality while keeping the customer satisfied.”
Another important channel for Agrexco’s potatoes is the catering sector, with volumes increasing by more than 25 per cent year-on-year. Carmel’s catering pack goes from strength to strength, packed in Spalding where the product is washed and packed to a 20-35mm or 35-40mm specification prior to same day distribution.
Terry Bryan, who has responsibility for this sector, says: “We have a huge market for our washed and prepared potatoes - the success rate is increasing daily.
Buyers now look for our new updated blue and white box bearing the Carmel name because it’s a reliably good product, plus for the past two years we have successfully marketed the English crop to now offer 12 months continuity.”
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