Page 13 - SA Fruit Journal VOLUME 14

Jacques du Preez, Mono Mashaba and Michelle Kruger Willem Bestbier en Jan le Roux (Le Roux Groep). (Clemengold).New markets andaccess to the Eastof utmost importanceJACqUES DU PREEzHortgro General Manager: Trade and Markets“ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA is an extremely useful and important fair for the South Af- rican fruit industry. We are here to lay the groundwork for future sales to Asian mar- kets. It is always a great opportunity to gain contacts and to increase business in Asia. ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA has become a must-attend event for exporters to Asia and by exhibiting we hope to consolidate the work we’ve been doing up to now and expand our client base in the region,” says Du Preez."Given the Russian ban, the big Europe- an pome fruit crops of 2014 and subsequent carry-over stock into 2015, the SA crop that is expected to return to a normal level again and the increase in orchards established over the last 5 years, we have to send our fruit else- where and there is a good market for our ap- ples and pears here."Du Preez considers the importance of developing new markets for apples and pearsin the East and networking at events like the Asia Fruit Logistica as crucial. “Europe remains our biggest market for apples and pears. European markets are under pressure, making the development of new markets and access to the East of utmost importance. We are currently busy with research and the development of market access to Indonesia (country of recognition status), Thailand, Fillipines, China, India, UAE and Malaysia and African countries. Africa has the poten- tial to grow into our biggest export market. It is very important to be visible in the East and events like the Asia Fruit Logistica are an excellent opportunity to build relationships regarding new markets. Everything is about relationships and to market our products.The sponsors of the SA pavillion.Groot geleenthedein die OosteWILLEM BESTBIERCEO, SA Tafeldruifbedryf (SATI)Wat is jou oorhoofse indrukke van die expo?Fruit Logistica Asia is beslis ‘n opwindende en gewilde geleentheid vir blootstelling aan die breë markgroepering bekend as Asië, wat Indië insluit. Die expo is goed georganiseer, word goed ondersteun en groei van jaar tot jaar. Ons produsente en uitvoerders moet beslis hier wees.Dink jy die Asia Fruit Logistica is van spesifieke belang vir die Suid- Afrikaanse vrugte-/tafeldruifbedryf? Asia Fruit Logistica is veral vir Suid-Afri- kaanse tafeldruiwe belangrik, aangesien die Verre-Ooste en Asiatiese markte van kritiese strategiese belang vir ons is. Tans gaan steeds sowat 75% van ons uitvoervolumes na die tradisionele markte, te wete Europa en die Verenigde Koninkryk. Hierdie konsentrasie is nie strategies gewens nie en ‘n beter ver- spreiding na byvoorbeeld die Verre-Ooste sal van groot waarde wees. In hierdie wêreld- dele is daar goeie vraag na vrugte en die ekonomieë groei sterk. ‘n Sterk fokus moet dus geplaas word op markuitbreiding na die markte, primêr deur hierdie expo te bedien en te ondersteun.Is Suid-Afrikaanse tafeldruiwe in aanvraag in die Oosterse markte,vir verbruikers, invoerders?Daar is ‘n baie goeie vraag na Suid-Afrikaanse tafeldruiwe vanuit die Oosterse en AsiatieseBEDRYFSNUUS10 FEB | MAART 2015