DOLE PLANS TO EXPORT ROMANIAN FRESH PRODUCE

DOLE PLANS TO EXPORT ROMANIAN FRESH PRODUCE

http://www.greenmed.eu/news-532.html

In about two years the world's largest fresh produce trader will begin exporting fruit and vegetables grown in Romania. The local market's turnover is estimated at €35 million, with bananas accounting for 90%.
14/04/2010 10:37

“This year, Dole Romania will hit 35 million euros in local turnover, with bananas accounting for 90 pct of the figure - Financiarul.ro reported -. In about two years, we will start exporting Romania-grown apples, pears, grapes and potatoes,” said Dole Romania commercial director Bogdan Grama. He said that Dole began working on product description cards according to the company’s philosophy and has already contacted several local producers.

“When we have the supply chain in place, we will start tests and in two years we kick off exports. It is also possible that we open a juice or can factory in Romania,” said Grama. Dole Romania began operating in Romania in 2009, although the company’s products – mainly bananas and citrus – have been on the local market since the ’90s and even before the 1989 Revolution. "We practically took over the entire chain, from distribution to product quality for imports to the local market,” said Dole Romania General manager Victor Esquivel.

Now the company owns a terminal in the Agigea Port and a special banana storage warehouse, but also distribution centers in the country’s key areas. The company’s share of the Romanian market is 25 percent. Dole brings to Romania bananas from Ecuador; South African citrus; grapes, kiwis and apples from Chile; Chinese pears and pomelos.