Exhibiting nations from across the world are already gearing up to make a splash at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2017. More than 650 companies from 37 different countries showcased their products and services at last year’s event, an increase of almost 100 exhibitors compared with the 2015 edition – and new countries are joining the show in 2017.
Central American export powerhouse Costa Rica will be exhibiting for the first time at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. The Costa Rica stand, organised by export promotion agency Procomer, will display a range of products, including pineapples, bananas, exotic and tropical fruits, and vegetables.
Tiffany Girón of Procomer said that Costa Rica is particularly excited about the opportunities in Asia for its pineapples, which recently clinched access to the Chinese market. “This is a great achievement for our export sector,” she said. “Costa Rica is the world’s largest exporter of pineapples, and being able to reach a market as important as China with our fruit gives us a competitive advantage. Costa Rican pineapples stand out for their sweetness, colour and excellent quality.”
While acknowledging that logistics must be carefully managed given the near 30-day shipping times from Costa Rica to China, Girón said there is “a great commitment” to the Chinese market among Costa Rican export companies. “We’re confident that they’re going to surpass market expectations for this fruit.”
Meanwhile, Medjool Village Dates Trading Co will become the first exhibitor from Jordan to showcase its products at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Set up in 2012, Medjool Village Dates’ production is projected to ramp up from current levels of 500 tonnes to 2,000 tonnes by 2021, according to marketing and sales director Faisal Nabulsi. While Medjool Village Dates’ main export markets are in Europe and the Middle East, the company is now prospecting for opportunities in Asia.
“We’ve been participating in FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin with great results, and we would now like to continue these results under the ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA brand in Asia,” said Nabulsi. “We would like to create partnerships with Asian importers, but mostly we would like to understand the needs of the Asian markets.”
Leading players in cold chain logistics are also boosting their presence at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Major shipping line CMA CGM is doubling the size of its stand, while Hutchison Ports and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation are exhibiting for the first time.
World-leading port operator Hutchison Ports says it is connecting the world to Asia’s largest perishable trading centre in southern China, through its flagship terminals Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) and Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT). Via its railway, road and shortsea network, Hutchison Ports South China provides access to a market with a radius of up to 1,700km, covering both the key perishable consumption base in the Pearl River Delta and the fastest growing areas in western China.
“By leveraging decades of industry experience, the strength of our global network and our dedicated cold chain facilities, Hutchison Ports South China is riding on a strong foundation to capture the immense opportunities in the perishable trade at an opportune time,” said Gerry Yim, CEO of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust. “ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA is a unique opportunity to get all the perishable international stakeholders together.”
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA confirmed its status as Asia’s premier event for the fresh fruit and vegetable business in 2016, attracting more than 11,000 high-quality visitors from 74 different countries. Visitor numbers were up by 22 per cent on the previous year, with two-thirds of them coming from Asia.
Visitors and exhibitors can look forward to an even busier show in 2017. It all gets under way on Tuesday 5 September with ASIAFRUIT CONGRESS, Asia’s premier fresh produce conference and networking event. ASIAFRUIT CONGRESS is the perfect primer to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, with the trade fair running daily from 10:00-17:00 on 6-8 September.
Tickets can be purchased from the online ticket shop. Click here to access the ticket shop for ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and ASIAFRUIT CONGRESS: https://www.asiafruitticketshop.com/afl2017/
