The Chilean Fresh Fruit Association was again present at its stand during the Re:fresh conference, but this year came with a difference as the organisation was promoting its new corporate image.

Lianne Jones, European field manager of the CFFA and Christian Carvajal, marketing manager for Europe and Asia of ASOEX, a group that presents Chilean exporters, told FPJ that they attended the event, held in London on May 10, to present information in a useful way, and even offered visitors to the stand a chance to access their personal email accounts as well as have a look at the Pro-Chile website.

“We use conferences to touch base with important contacts that we have in the UK - such as importers, press and trade associations. That's one of the things we find with conferences like this, especially with Re:fresh, because it is the largest [fresh produce] event in the UK,” Jones told FPJ.

A sponsor of both a stand and an award, the CFFA has been involved with the Re:fresh conference and awards since its beginning. But the Chilean team were especially impressed with the Re:fresh conference format this year, and its thought-provoking subject matter. “The subject matter has been very broad, and so there is a little bit in it for everyone,” said Jones. “I think that, from speaking to the different delegates, it is good to witness the active discussions about the talks; it is definitely provoking engaging conversation.”

Although the conference's subject matter was stimulating, Carvajal said that he still felt there was a long way to go, and that the more people who understood the complex issues of the carbon footprint, the better it will be for the Chilean fresh produce industry.

He told FPJ: “To find out the reactions to this in the UK is obviously very interesting to us, but at the same time it is important to remember that generally in the UK and throughout Europe there is a very high level of energy being used to grow the food.

Growing in the southern hemisphere balances it out, as we make more efficient use of energy resources.”

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