SA's AFF aims to increase fresh fruit export to Canada
FreshPlaza reports that the pomegranate season is in full swing at Johannesburg based Adel Fresh Fruit (AFF). The company exports a variety of fresh fruits including avocados, mangoes, litchis, oranges, grapefruit, figs and pomegranates and its main markets are the EU, Russia, Canada, the Far East and the Middle East.
AFF's Nadir Zaptia says the pomegranate season is going well so far despite a "sleepy" European market.
"The demand is not as high as last year, which I think is down to the economy, as well as increasing volumes from Chile and Peru," Zaptia says, adding that the South African fruit is definitely of an increasingly good quality and export volumes are increasing year on year. AFF exports also to the Canadian market, where it faces stiff competition from South American suppliers. AFF's Grapefruit exports to Europe, Canada and the Far East will start shipping in the second week of May and continue for six weeks.
Nadir says the market in Europe appears to be stable and that the Europeans consider the South African grapefruit to be of the best quality. The company is the only exporter of mango by air from South Africa, and delivers to the Rungis market in Paris and specialised importers in The Netherlands. As for future plans -- Nadir tells FreshPlaza that he is looking to build on the Canadian exports and increase shipments of mangoes, citrus and kumquats.
Read the full article on www.freshplaza.com.
