Over 15 Pakistani firms and around 50 exhibitors participated in the "FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013," the world's biggest fair for fruits/vegetables held in Berlin, Germany with the aim of introducing the country's fruits to buyers/importers from over 120 countries gathered under one roof.
The mega event opened here on Wednesday where over 2,543
exhibitors from 78 countries presented the entire value chain of fresh
produce. Some 55,000 trade visitors from 120 countries have come to
Berlin. The prominent exhibitors from across the world were presenting
not only the entire product and service range that so amply supplies
consumers with fresh fruit and vegetables, but also numerous interesting
industry innovations that serve as a valuable driving force in the
industry, increasing the variety of options for the consumer.
In the three days fair (February 6 to 8, 2013) members of
Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchant
Association (PFVA), other concerned organisations and Pakistan
Horticulture Export Development Company (PHEDC), have set up separate
stalls while displaying the country's fresh fruits, vegetables, mango
pulps and other value added products.
On Wednesday, Ilse Aigner, Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture
and Consumer Protection of Germany also visited Pakistani Pavilion.
According to her, Berlin has become the center of attention for the
international world of fruit and vegetables where 2400 exhibitors from
around 80 countries are showcasing their products. The fresh-cut
convenience sector has taken part at the trade fair. More liberalization
of fresh products trade is needed in the world.
On the first day of the exhibition, selected Pakistani and Asian
dignitaries and a large number of visitors of the event were also found
visiting the Pakistani pavilion and showed keen interest in the fresh
fruit including Kinnow, mango (juice and pulps) etc.
Talking to Business Recorder, Waheed Ahmed, Chairman,
PFVA said that the association and its members were attending the event
with the aim/objective that major markets of the world could be tapped
during this fair as buyers, exporters and businessmen from more than 100
countries were visiting the event.
According to him, Fruit Logistica is an important event where
almost all the best quality fruit/vegetables are displayed from a large
number of countries. Though Pakistani fruits like mango and kinnow have
no parallel in EU, and some western markets, issues like lack of supply
chain and value addition were needed to be addressed by both the
government and concerned authorities.
"Display, presentation and innovation were the most important
things along with good quality fruits in order to tap the European and
highly valued western markets," he said adding that Pakistan was lagging
behind in the fruit and vegetable industry despite being an
agriculture-based country. "We have only two or three selected items in
fruit and vegetable sector while dozens of highly valued items are yet
to be given due considerations to make them also exportable," he added.
According to him, Pakistan is actively participating in the
Fruit Logistica for the last four years and Islamabad has received an
import order worth over 1 million Euros last year and better response is
expected this year. With active marketing and efforts the country could
easily get at least 25 million Euro worth share in the region in the
next five years.
Super markets and big chain stores in the EU markets could be
the first and easy step to introduce our fruits like mango, kinnow,
dates, potato, onion mango pulps and apple juice concentrates. Talking
to Business Recorder, Waqar Khilji, Pakistani Commercial Attaché
in Berlin said that the event was very helpful to search for more
markets for Pakistani products. However, the disruption in supply, lack
of certification with globally approved quality/standards and value
addition were the issues that needed to be addressed for better share in
the western markets.
Numbers of presentations were also made by different experts on
various subjects related to the fresh fruit/vegetable industry on
Wednesday. According to a presentation 860 million tonnes of vegetables
and 730 million tonnes of fruit were produced world-wide in 2012.
Production figures for both fruit and vegetables have steadily increased
over the past few years. The EU is the world's leading import region
for fresh fruit. The US and Russia are also key countries when it comes
to the export of fresh fruit and vegetables outside of Europe.
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