Expanding British fresh produce exports should be a key priority and offers significant opportunities for businesses, the Secretary of State for Scotland has said.
David Mundell MP, who was speaking after a visit to the AHDB Exports stand at Fruit Logistica last week, said: “I was really impressed with the AHDB presence at the show, and by the success and ambition of the businesses exhibiting on the stand. Growing our exports of fresh produce will be a key part of our economic growth.
“Events like Fruit Logistica offer a fantastic opportunity to create and develop new business contacts and open up new markets to Scottish companies.”
Seven companies exhibited under the AHDB Exports stand this year, including first time exhibitors Jepco Marketing, Bedfordshire Growers and Isle of Ely Produce, among show stalwarts Angus Soft Fruits and AC Goatham.
AHDB’s head of exports Peter Hardwick said: “The growth of Angus Soft Fruits has been impressive and is yet more evidence of the significant opportunities this event brings UK producers.
Jepco managing director Tony Padoan said he wanted to join the stand after talking to AHDB Exports exhibitors in 2016.
He said: “Exploring the opportunity of exports really excites us, and the feedback we have highlights the real potential for our business. From my point of view exhibiting here has been a fantastic investment, there is a real hunger here for our products.
“I have just had a meeting with someone looking to develop our product to export to Holland, Belgium and France. If even a fraction of the potential business opportunities we have discussed here come off we will still be doing amazingly well.”
Speaking at the British reception, held at the AHDB Exports stand at the show, Tony Sims, director of the department of international trade in Germany, said: “British products have an excellent international reputation and we are keen to see overseas exports of these continue to grow.
“Our seed potatoes for example, are high health and high quality, and our horticultural products, are as yet just a tiny part of a huge global market. There are huge opportunities there and we are keen to support producers to make the most of them.”
AHDB Potatoes chair Fiona Fell said: “AHDB spends £5 million annually supporting export market development and the size and scope of events like Fruit Logitstica the potential that this investment taps into.
“This year most of our exhibitors were promoting different products and services, from scientific expertise to soft and tree fruits and field vegetables. But they all agreed on one thing, that events like these are key to growing their businesses’ export potential.”
