The Belgian region of Flanders sees great opportunities to grow its sales in Norway of berries, pears, and a range of other fresh produce lines.
That’s the message the region’s leading growers and exporters took home after a three-day fact-finding mission to the Nordic country hosted by Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board (Vlam).
The fresh produce delegation was part of a 400-strong Official Belgium Economic Mission to Norway led by HRH Princess Astrid, sister of the King of Belgium.
Fruitnet managing director Chris White was asked by Vlam to put together a programme of retail visits over three days to retail outlets in Oslo, the capital city.
These included guided tours to Kiwi, Meny, and Jacobs stores – all owned and operated by Norgesgruppen – as well as visits to Coop Norway’s portfolio of outlets that operate under the Prix, Extra, Mega, and Obs banners.
The Flemish group also visited the fresh fruit and vegetable terminals of Bama (which supplies Norgesgruppen) and Coop Norge, and had meetings with Gartnerhallen, which groups together Norway’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable growers.
“Big thanks to Pål Westby of Norgesgruppen and Atle Olsen of Coop Norge and all of their colleagues to the warm welcome they showed our group,” said White. “It’s clear that there are some really good opportunities for Flemish produce in Norway.”
The Flemish group included BelOrta, Coöperatie Hoogstraten, and REO, the three fresh produce auctions in Flanders, the Belgian horticultural cooperative association VBT, and leading exporters such as Devos Group, Demargro, Nicolai Fruit, Belexport, Calsa, and Fresh Concept.
If you would like Fruitnet to arrange a trade programme on behalf of your organisation, please contact Artur Wiselka advertising@fruitnet.com.
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