Israeli summer fruit developer and exporter Sefi Ben-Dor has struck a series of deals with growers in the southern hemisphere in a bid to secure a 12-month supply of its summer plums and apricots, currently sold in UK retailers including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
Agreements have already been signed with farm owners in Chile, South Africa and Australia, and negotiations are currently underway with growers in New Zealand for the right to produce Ben-Dor's registered and protected varieties.
Several European supermarket chains gave their backing to the move, which also provides an opportunity for Israeli growers to target non-European export markets. Ben-Dor fruits grown in Australia are currently marketed in several Far Eastern countries, and varieties grown in Chile are sent to the US as well as Europe.
The plums and apricots were developed by the firm’s nurseries in Yesod Hama'ala in the Upper Galilee, and according to the company are considered unique in taste, shape, colour, texture and shelf-life. “In recent years there has been a change in consumption trends in Israel and elsewhere, with many consumers now willing to pay a high price for top-quality fruits," said the company.
