Netherlands: map of Dutch ag footprint in North America

This week the Royal Netherlands Embassy launched an interactive online map showing locations, descriptions and contact information of Dutch agri and food companies in the US and Canada. This unique map visualizes the extensive Dutch agribusiness footprint in North America. The new website, www.HollandAgInvest.com, was unveiled during a reception February 4 with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). The United States and the Netherlands are the top two global exporters of agricultural products in the world. In 2011, the U.S. exported $136 billion worldwide, while the Netherlands exported $101 billion worth of agricultural products. About $3 billion of Dutch products were exported to North America. Dutch companies that operate in North America, such as Ahold, DSM, Rabobank, Unilever, CSM, Nutreco, Heineken, and Lely, the robotic milking company, are among the 150 included on HollandAgInvest.com. The Dutch agri-business imprint extends to more than 300 locations in North America, and includes many states and provinces. Most facilities are found in Ontario, California, Illinois, New York and Georgia. HollandAgInvest.com is the latest tool by the embassy to show the impact of the Netherlands in the US. The website complements HollandFoodPartner.com, and EconomicTies.org, which details the overall investment of Dutch businesses in the US.

USDA Predicts Decrease to 2012-2013 Orange Crop

LAKELAND, Fla. (February 8, 2013)-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Friday said its estimate of the 2012-2013 Florida orange crop decreased less than one percent to 141 million boxes. The decrease occurred in the Valencia variety which declined 1 million boxes from the USDA's January estimate to 75 million boxes. Early-mid varieties held steady at 66 million boxes. The USDA makes its initial estimate in October of each year and revises it monthly as the crop takes shape until the end of the season in July. Visit www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Florida/Publications/Citrus/cpfp.htm for the complete USDA estimate. During the 2011-2012 season, Florida produced 146.6 million boxes of oranges. The Florida grapefruit estimate remained the same at 18 million boxes. Tangerines and tangelos each decreased 100,000 boxes to 3.7 million and 1 million respectively. The yield for from concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) increased to 1.62 gallons per 90-pound box. The Florida citrus industry creates a $9 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 76,000 people, and covering about 550,000 acres. Founded in 1948, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state's largest citrus grower organization. For more information, visit www.flcitrusmutual.com. To receive winter weather updates follow FCM on Twitter.

Huelskamp Submits Comments to Prevent Lesser Prairie Chicken from Being Listed as “Threatened” Species

(GARDEN CITY, KAN.) – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hosted a public comment hearing in Garden City on Thursday night to hear from citizens about the proposed listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a “threatened” species under the Endangered Species Act. Congressman Tim Huelskamp submitted the following comments for the record. He offered the following explanation of his comments: “As a farmer, landowner, and Member of Congress, I strongly oppose not only listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken, but also the heavy-handed manner in which USFWS has gone about their process. Not a single Kansan I have heard from thinks this is the right way to go because Washington seldom – if ever – gets it right. Instead of allowing voluntary solutions by individual landowners, farmers and ranchers, counties and states, the USFWS inserted itself – unwelcome – into a process already making progress. Do not list this bird as endangered; doing so will imperil both private property rights and growth in our agricultural and energy economy.” Full remarks as prepared for submission: Speaking as a farmer, landowner, and a Member of Congress, I am strongly opposed to the expressed intent of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to list the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, as well as the FWS process itself. Let me begin by stating that I have not heard from a single constituent who thinks that listing the bird is the right course of action. Almost every time the federal government—be it FWS, EPA, FNS or anyone else—steps in with new instructions, regulations, mandates and restrictions to “solve” a problem, they only serve to reinforce my belief, and that of many of my constituents, that people in Washington have no idea what is going on in the real world. In the handful of instances when those inside the Beltway correctly identify a problem, they often inevitably fail to prescribe a workable solution. A listing of the LPC would likely to be another example of this. My first concern is that while gathering public comments, FWS is explicitly prohibited from considering the economic impacts of its decision. As a farmer, I know that we all want to protect the environment for future generations. I also know that ignoring the economic costs of government regulation is not only foolish but very dangerous to the jobs and prosperity of the entire region, particularly to our core agricultural and energy industries. Second, I am very concerned with the delays taken by FWS regarding the publication of its intent to list the LPC. Despite the court settlement in September 2012 that requires a final decision on listing the LPC by September 30, 2013, it took FWS more than two months before finally publishing its intent in the Federal Register. That shrank an already small window for stakeholders to evaluate the proposal, demonstrate their existing conservation efforts, and prepare for compliance. Third, I roundly reject the belief underlining the entire effort—namely, that the federal intervention is the most effective solution. In the 40 years since the Endangered Species Act became law, more than 1,350 species have been listed as endangered, but only 24 have been delisted, for a success rate of approximately 1.7%. That is simply abysmal. Why must we assume that the federal government will do a great job of rescuing a species when you have demonstrated so little success? Fourth, speaking of success, FWS has not identified a target population level. So we have no way of knowing just how many birds would be needed to remove a “threatened" label from the LPC. Colleagues of mine who also represent LPC habitat have asked FWS for such a number, but none has ever been supplied. You may find greater support for listing the bird if we knew that there was an end goal; but as the proposal stands now, there is no hope of ever achieving success. Fifth, the timing of the listing is awful with the entire region in the throes of an historic drought. This is a species whose habitat is grassland, which is very susceptible to changing weather patterns. Additionally, historic tracking of the LPC population indicates that the species is incredibly resilient, and bounces back from drought situations. To take action now is to lock in drastic measures that will require significant action from landowners for years to come. For this reason, if FWS still believes that listing is necessary, you should at least wait until the drought ends and the habitat has a chance to recover. Then FWS can reevaluate and get a better sense of just how at-risk the species actually is. Lastly, there are ongoing efforts and proposals to protect the populations happening at the individual, local, state, and regional levels. Kansas has a number of conservation initiatives in place already that provide incentives and assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners to protect the bird and develop its habitat. Furthermore, there are a number of additional proposals in the works—including one being drafted by the Fish and Wildlife Services for each of the five states, and one from the range’s Farm Bureaus—that include clear targets for both habitat and species population, and that do not require federal intrusion into private property. I appreciate the opportunity to share these concerns with you, and sincerely hope that this public comment period is taken seriously by FWS. I don’t believe that I am alone when I say that to this point in the process, there seems to be little interest in the concerns of those who will actually be impacted by a listing. But I hope that the comments you receive and the feedback from the public hearings will give you cause to slow down and seriously evaluate whether or not this is the best, most effective use of resources to preserve the species.

Fruit Logistica: briefs

"Indispensable": Ilse Aigner opens the world's leading trade fair for fruit and vegetables Numerous ministers of agriculture from around the world welcomed German Food Minister Ilse Aigner at their national stands during her official tour at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013. Her first stop on Wednesday afternoon was the stand of partner country Peru. Here, together with Minister of Foreign Trade Jose Luis Silva Martinot, her Peruvian counterpart Milton von Hesse and Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin GmbH, she cut the red ribbon, officially opening the 21st FRUIT LOGISTICA. Accompanied by Global Brand Manager Gérald Lamusse, Aigner was then told by Uruguay's Minister of Agriculture Tabare Aguerre that food safety was his key policy focus. Morocco's Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Trade El Aid Mahsoussi spoke highly of his country's produce. Egypt's Commercial Counsellor Ahmed Hosni said that fruit and vegetables worth EUR 70 million were exported to Germany each year. The tour also took Minister Aigner to the pavilions of the Netherlands, Israel, South Africa and Pakistan. She also visited the commercial enterprise Cobana, the marketing group Sopexa and the German Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BVEO). "Indispensable" was how the minister summed up in a word the importance of the trade fair for the fresh produce industry. Partner country Peru committed to diversity, environmental protection and fair trade „Peru – where quality means flavor!“ – Under this motto Peru has showcased itself at the Fruit Logistica as serious exporting country, with a portfolio of premium quality products and a high degree of knowledge about the needs of each market and consumer. The country’s claim for high quality is reflected in the vast number of internationally recognized certifications awarded to Peruvian companies, like Fair Trade, BirdFriendly Coffee and Rainforest Alliance Certified. The trade fair looks back at a remarkable number of visitors and attendees, who took the opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the latest trends in the fresh produce industry and make worldwide business contacts. Save our Soils: UN organisation and Eosta launch awareness campaign "Save our Soils" is the message being communicated to consumers by the Dutch company Eosta B.V. at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013. None other than the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is working with Eosta on an awareness campaign that explains that every minute, an area equivalent to 30 soccer fields of fertile soil is being destroyed. Organic farming techniques reduce soil degradation. In the "Soilmate" campaign, organic tomatoes are sold together with compost and basil seeds. "This allows consumers to experience for themselves the power of fertile soil," says Eosta Marketing and Communications Manager Michaël Wilde. With the "Save our Soils" project, one square metre of desert in Egypt will be revegetated for every product sold. Anyone who grows plants in a creative way and helps to spread the message can become a "soildier" and win a trip to the revegetated desert areas in Egypt. Freshness is Life nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2013 "We are very pleased that our campaign 'Freshness is Life' has been nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2013," says Sabine Lauxen, board spokesperson for the 5 a Day association. She explains that the EU-funded information and sales promotion campaign was launched in May 2012 and will continue until 2014. "The aim is to improve the image of fruit and vegetables and generate increased sales." From mid-May until the end of June 2012, at the opening of the vegetable season in Germany, advertisements promoted fresh fruit and vegetables on 5000 billboards in the vicinity of 1500 food retail outlets. The six-week campaign was conducted in 900 cities and towns and resulted in 130 million contacts. (Hall 20, Stand C-05. Contact: Thomas Erdmann, Tel. +49 (0) 621 33840114, e-mail: info@machmit-5amtag.de) Debut of new pear marketing campaign The new Belgian and Dutch pear marketing campaign "Conférence – always a good idea!" is being launched at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013. The Conférence pear is a speciality from Belgium and the Netherlands. "It is notable for the fact that it may be eaten either when it is soft and juicy or when hard and crunchy," explains Kristophe Thijs, Managing Director of the Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) in Cologne. He says that the campaign is focusing on families with children, which have been identified as the most suitable target group. VLAM is taking advantage of the Berlin stage to give maximum exposure to the Conférence pear, Thijs adds. (Hall 6.2, Stand B-06. Contact: Kristophe Thijs, Tel. +49 (0) 221 254857, e-mail: vlam.belg.agrar@t-online.de) Cyprus plans support programme for farmers Cyprus wants to support its farmers with a new agricultural programme. Farmers are particularly affected by the high transport costs which put their exports at a competitive disadvantage, explained Petros Michaelides, Director of the Cypriot Embassy's commercial section, at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. He described the trade fair as a "landmark event" for the 15 exhibitors at the joint stand and a place to meet old and new clients from around the world. With a growth rate of more than 20%, potato exports are booming. Other leading products include citrus fruit, grapes and herbs. New additions – though only for the domestic market – are mini cucumbers in snack packs. (Hall 2.1, Stand C-02. Contact: Petros Michaelides, Tel. +49 (0) 30 2844596, e-mail: michaelides@zypern.com) FRUIT LOGISTICA premiere for growers from the Philippines Producers from the Philippines have come to FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time, "To explore potential markets and meet other growers," says Jennifer Torred from the Ministry of Agriculture. The cooperatives Raspina and Flora Integrated Farms, for instance, grow pineapples without a woody, bitter stalk. They are known as "queen pineapples", says Managing Director Flora Abadesco. The growers from Refmad and Agrinurture also cultivate mangos and dragon fruit. Every part of the produce is utilised – the flowers and stalks of the dragon fruit are used in soups and to make soaps. Fibres are extracted from pineapple leaves and woven with silk into textiles. (Hall 6.2, Stand B-01. Contact: Jennifer Torred, Tel. +632 (0) 925 37 95, e-mail: torredjen@yahoo.com; Flora Abadesco, Tel. +632 (0) 687 07 88; e-mail: flora@florafarms.ph; Jocelyn Tago-Mallari, Tel. +632 (0) 401 48 49; e-mail: jovittamal@yahoo.com; Eliza Guinto, Tel. +632 (0) 624 28 19; e-mail: liza.guinto@ani.com.ph) FRUIT LOGISTICA is a gateway to the European market Moldova The Republic of Moldova is appearing for the first time at FRUIT LOGISTICA. This opportunity is being used to present the Balkan country and its fresh products to an audience of industry professionals at the trade fair. "We realise that this is a small step toward gaining a foothold in the European market," explained market linkage specialist Peter White. Last year, more than 300,000 tons of apples in 20 different varieties were harvested on over 70,000 hectares of land in Moldova. Other agricultural products include over 80 varieties of cherries, plums, peaches, tomatoes, grapes and various types of nuts. (Hall 8.2, Stand A-10, Contact: Peter White, Phone: +373 (0) 22 59 52 65, e-mail: peterwhite1954@yahoo.com) Maersk Line: Global player for fresh produce transport "As the largest container transport company, Maersk Line is a permanent fixture at the world's leading fresh produce trade fair," says Thomas Eskesen, Global Head of Reefer & Special Cargo Trade & Marketing. Headquartered in Copenhagen, the shipping company uses the opportunities at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013 for building business relations and attracting new customers. "We come into play as soon as fruit companies have signed a deal, because the goods need be transported from one country to the other." Maersk Line operates a fleet of over 600 container ships with some 3.8 million containers. (Hall 25, Stand A-01, Contact: Thomas Eskesen, Phone: + 45 (0) 3363 8648, e-mail: thomas.Eskesen@maersk.com) CSO: New ways to promote fruit and vegetable consumption Italy’s Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli (CSO) is heading in new directions in the marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables. Under the slogan "10 unusual ways to savour fruit and vegetables", visitors to the Piazza Italia at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013 can experience how fresh produce can be combined with simple ingredients to create delicious snacks. The display features ten different fruit and vegetable varieties, including kiwi fruit slices with chocolate mousse, caramelised apples, Abate Fetel pears with parmesan and balsamic vinegar, and radicchio di Treviso with oil and salt. The cocktail of organic yoghurt and fruit has already found its place in Italian bars, and the other recipes serve as inspiration for restaurants and consumers alike. (Hall 2.2, Stand A-02. Contact: Alessandra Ravaioli, Tel. +39 (0) 532 904511, e-mail: alessandra.ravaioli@csoservizi.com) Germany remains Spain's principal trading partner "FRUIT LOGISTICA is essential for our suppliers. Not only because Germany is the key trading partner in the fresh produce sector, but also because our suppliers meet their customers from around the world here," says Amaya Beyebach, Councillor of Commerce from the Spanish Consulate General. Spain is the primary trade partner for German fruit importers, supplying 24% of the country's fruit. Spain also supplies some 20% of Germany's vegetables, putting it in second place for vegetable imports, after the Netherlands. Germany imported some two million tonnes of fruit and vegetables from the Iberian Peninsula in 2011; preliminary statistics put the figures for 2012 at 5% more. The main imports were tomatoes (200,000 tonnes), oranges (180,000) and clementines (178,000), closely trailed by sweet peppers (164,000) and strawberries (150,000). "In Germany, approximately one half of the fresh produce is sold in discount chains – which, of course, increases the pricing pressure on the producers," explains Beyebach. Spain's fresh produce exporters have recently managed to acquire new markets in Russia, Eastern Europe, China and other emerging economic powers. (Hall 18, Stand B-03. Contact: Amaya Beyebach, Tel. +49 (0) 211 4936641, e-mail: abeyebach@comercio.mineco.es) The Netherlands are carbon-neutral at FRUIT LOGISTICA For the fourth consecutive year, the Netherlands remain true to their tradition at FRUIT LOGISTICA: "This year we are carbon-neutral again," says the trade fair organiser Ger van Burik of Holland Fresh Group (HFG). Every detail must be taken into account: the 18 fully loaded trucks that arrive on the exhibition grounds on the Thursday before the trade fair; the setup; the catering; the products; the product brochures; and even the 2000 cups that are filled and then washed – all of it has a carbon footprint. "It's been documented on 40 pages," says van Burik, and amounts to 280 tonnes. In order to balance the carbon emissions, HFG purchased 280 carbon certificates from the company Soil & More. "The company is using the proceeds to cultivate land in the Egyptian desert covering an area the size of 18.2 football fields," van Burik explains. That amounts to eleven hectares of land. (Hall 3.2, Stand C-18. Contact: Ger van Burik, Tel. +31 (0) 6 24 24 37 74, e-mail: gervanburik@HBAGgroenten.nl) DKHV presents school garden project and image campaign at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013 "We're informing trade visitors about our current initiatives and projects for quality production of German potatoes," says Dr. Alexander Grabolle, CEO of the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV). He draws special attention to the activities promoting firm-skinned German new potatoes, the school garden project and the current image campaign "Die Kartoffel. Voll lecker!" (The potato. Completely delicious!). DKHV launched the school garden project focused on potatoes in 2008. By cultivating potatoes in their school gardens, children can become better acquainted with potatoes and learn to appreciate food. "Throughout Germany, DKHV member companies provide schools in their area with seed potatoes and then support and advise the classes and teachers during the school year. The schools enjoy participating in the project. In fact, over 700 schools took part in the project in 2012," adds Grabolle. (Hall 21, Stand D-09. Contact: Dr. Karen Willamowski, Tel. +49 (0) 30 66406852, e-mail: willamowski@dkhv.org) Brussels Invest & Export marks tenth year at FRUIT LOGISTICA "FRUIT LOGISTICA is the only trade fair we attend. It's the most important event for the fruit and vegetable trade worldwide," says Thierry Nuttin, Director of the European Centre for Fruit and Vegetables in Brussels. For the past ten years, Brussels Invest & Export has been a regular guest at the leading international trade fair for fresh produce marketing. Fourteen wholesale importers and exporters are present, using the event to meet business associates and to establish contact with new producers from around the world. (Hall 6.2, Stand D-05. Contact: Sophie D’haemer, Tel. +32 (0) 2 8004086, e-mail: sdhaemer@mrbc.irisnet.be) Management of consumer preferences and market shoppers is essential to survival "Category management – where do we begin, and what tasks are ahead for those involved?" This was the main question addressed in a roundtable discussion organised by Fruchthandel Magazine at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "In light of consumers' increasing quality demands on the one side, and tight margins and enormous pricing pressure at all trade levels on the other side, optimal management of this product line is more crucial than ever before," said moderator Kaasten Reh, Project Manager of Fruchthandel Magazine. Inga Natrop (GS1-Germany) was quick to retract the question mark attached to her introductory statement "Is category management feasible for fruit and vegetables?" by outlining the practicable methods of this type of management. She cited customer orientation as an especially important concept, which includes clearly distinguishing between the consumer and the shopper who makes the purchase decision. Francisco Borrás (Deputy Managing Director of Anecoop) examined category management from the producer's standpoint. He spoke about the market introduction of the kaki persimmon, a winter fruit, as an example of successful category management. Award-winning temperature monitoring system from the USA A total of 46 exhibitors from the United States are represented at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA, 25 of them in the USA Pavilion in Hall 23. Blue Book and Intelleflex are exhibiting for the first time. Blue Book Services, Inc. has been providing credit and marketing information to wholesalers since 1901. Intelleflex Corporation offers a range of products including on-demand and data-visibility solutions for fresh, frozen and packaged foods in the cold chain. The exhibitor's award-winning temperature monitoring system "XC3 Technology® RFID" and "ZEST® Data Services" provide usable data on demand for real-time decision making. These condition monitoring solutions can help users to improve traceability and food safety, to reduce loss and cut costs, and to increase profitability. Hall 23, Stand A-01. Contact: Dorothea Baxter, Tel. +1 540 372 3777, e-mail: dbaxter@exhibitpro.com) Sicily: Peaches from Leonforte and tomatoes from Pachino Peaches from Leonforte are picked early and allowed to ripen individually packed, which lends them their special flavour. Tomatoes from Pachino and grapes from Mazzarone and Canicati are further organically cultivated highlights that Sicily is presenting at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013, along with aubergines, carrots, hot peppers and citrus fruit. The trade fair is a significant platform where fruit and vegetable producers from the Island of the Sun can do more than just show their products. On Thursday evening, buyers from all over the world also had the opportunity to taste the quality of the Sicilian agricultural products at a dinner. Russia is quickly growing as a new market, but contacts were also established for potential customers from Dubai and Shanghai during the trade fair in Berlin, according to Giuseppe Calagna, Manager of the Dipartimento Regionale Interventi Strutturali in Agricoltura. (Hall 4.2, Stand C-17. Contact: Giuseppe Calagna, Tel. +39 (0) 91 7076156, e-mail: agril.serviziopromozione@regione.sicilia.it) Zespri presents SunGold, a new kiwi fruit variety with a tart sweetness Zespri International is presenting a new gold kiwi fruit variety at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013. The fruit pulp of the Zespri SunGold has a golden colour and a mostly sweet flavour with a hint of tartness. The kiwi fruit retains its firm flesh, even after several weeks. "FRUIT LOGISTICA is an excellent opportunity for us to talk with our customers and suppliers," says Nele Moorthamers, Marketing Manager for Europe. Zespri was founded in New Zealand and works in cooperation with 2700 kiwi fruit farmers. The company's goal is to organise the sale and marketing of kiwi fruit around the world. In Europe, Zespri's kiwi fruit is predominantly cultivated in Italy and France. (Hall 6.2, Stand D-04. Contact: Nele Moorthamers, Tel. +32 (0) 3 201 08 05, e-mail: nele.moorthamers@zespri-europe.com) Pink Lady, the apple with "so much more", continues its expansion The Pink Lady variety of apple, a cross between the Lady Williams and Golden Delicious varieties, continues to chalk up successes. It is now being grown on 3800 hectares of land right across Europe (in France, Italy and Spain). Since 2009, sales of this slightly pink apple have risen by almost 40%. More than 110,000 tonnes of them are sold every year. The FRUIT LOGISTICA was a major factor in the Pink Lady's fame. "The FRUIT LOGISTICA is the most important trade fair of all for our company," says Sofia Pizzo, the press spokeswoman of Pink Lady Europe. Customers attending the fair can find out more about the company's production and marketing concept. The apples are labelled with a pink sticker that makes them instantly recognisable as Pink Ladys. This logo vouches for the apple's origins and year-round constant quality. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-05. Contact: Sofia Pizzo, Tel. +33 (0) 665 788 322, e-mail: sofia.pizzo@pinkladyeurope.com) GFI ends 2012 with new partners, members and ideas GFI, the association of wholesale fresh-food markets in Germany, had a successful 2012. That was the conclusion reached by the various business areas established in 2011, having taken stock and prioritised the tasks ahead. "Within a short time, we had defined some 50 business areas in the fields of brand development, marketing, benchmarking, infrastructure and representation. The first analyses and evaluations are of enormous importance to managers in the network of fresh-produce markets," says GFI Board Member Andreas Foidl. In addition to expanding the business areas and exchanging experiences with international partners, GFI was able to attract 12 new full members, including the wholesale markets of Aix-la-Chapelle, Bolzano and Zurich. "In 2013 we plan, amongst other things, to attract far more cooperation partners in the areas of promotion and sampling," Foidl adds. (Hall 21, Stand E-12. Contact: Frank Willhausen, Tel. +49 (0) 174 815 2314, e-mail: frank.willhausen@frischemaerkte.org) Rijk Zwaan invites you on an inspirational voyage of discovery "Explore your senses" is the motto under which Rijk Zwaan is presenting itself at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. "The experience is everything when you're talking about vegetables," says Marketing Manager Auke Ferwerda. For this reason, this Dutch grower's trade fair stand hopes to address all five senses. "Visitors can see our extensive product range and experience it in many different ways," Ferwerda explains. This is because the individual tactile feel and sound are emphasised in addition to the taste and smell. The entire experience is an inspiring voyage of discovery that enables visitors to put themselves in the consumer's shoes. "Our goal at the 2013 FRUIT LOGISTICA is to inspire and be inspired, partly also for our own growth, so that we can enhance the consumer's fascination with our products further and therefore increase global consumption of vegetables," he adds. (Hall 1.2, Stand B-24. Contact: Mareike Neumann, Tel. +49 (0) 30 2472 1823, e-mail: info@rijkzwaan.de) Germany remains Hungary's most important export-import partner In contrast to 2011, the year of the EHEC crisis, 2012 was far better for the Hungarian fruit and vegetable sector, says Dr. Béla Mártonffy, President of the FruitVeB Hungarian Interprofessional Organisation for Fruit and Vegetable. "Volumes and prices increased and the quality was also outstanding," he adds. Output of fruits and vegetables grew by 7% in 2012, and Hungarian exports also rose. Dr Mártonffy says that his country's most important export partners are Germany, Austria, Poland, Romania, Russia and Slovakia. "But Scandinavia and the Baltic region are also extremely significant for us." Hungary's most important exported fresh produce are apples, apricots, cucumbers, horseradish, nuts, plums, sweet peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, sour cherries, tomatoes and watermelons. In addition to import-export companies, trade is primarily undertaken by producers' organisations. (Hall 21, Stand B-07. Contact: Anita Ferencz/Ágnes Vattamány, Tel. +36 (0)1 381 1020, e-mail: info@fruitveb.hu) Calls for standardised certification within European fruit and vegetable sector "Nowadays the entire value-added chain falls apart without certification," says Gabriele Bastian, editor-in-chief of Fruchthandel Magazine. She is moderator of the Hall Forum "Overview of the three pillars of certification: who how and what?", where experts at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA will discuss these issues. There are key questions at every stage of the supply chain, questions like "What kind of certification do I need?" and "What's sensible?" Kollowa-Mahlow, the managing director of ARS PROBATA GmbH, spoke of a "logo salad" in reference to the wide array of quality seals with which consumers as well as producers and traders are confronted. "The answer to the question 'What standards are important for me when obtaining a seal of approval?' is and remains the same: ask your customers," the expert says. Speaking from the point of view of a producers' cooperative, Massimiliano Laghi is calling for greater transparency about certification. "My hope for the future," Lahi says, "is that our customers will make clear demands, that these are expressed in a product-specific manner, that they focus on truly critical areas and that there is willingness to search for a uniform solution for all of Europe." The world meets the sweet potato at the 2013 FRUIT LOGISTICA Sweet potatoes can be cooked like a vegetable, used as a pie filling and turned into gnocchi and even ice cream. This tasty tuber is even delicious raw in salads. "That's not possible with potatoes, only with sweet potatoes," says Santley Smith, the CEO of Scott Farms International. Smith and his team have come to FRUIT LOGISTICA to raise global awareness about this multifaceted vegetable. Sweet potatoes are grown on 1400 hectares of land in North Carolina, and all are hand-picked. Over the last 12 months, Scott Farms shipped 20,000 tonnes of them to Europe. Scott says they are popular in Britain, partly because they contain large amounts of vitamin A, E and beta-carotene. However, they are less well known in other European countries. Germany, for example, only accounts for single-digit percentages of imports. "We want to change that," the CEO says. (Hall 8.2, Stand A-01. Contact: Stanley Smith, Tel. +44 (0)79 7078 4429, e-mail: stansmith@scottfarmsinternational.com) Indian table grapes sell best in Europe in winter The Indian Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is bringing eight major producers to the FRUIT LOGISTICA, including both new and well-established exporters. "This year we will be focusing on chilli and okra pods, pomegranates and table grapes," says APEDA Director Ramesh Kumar Boyal. "In February and March, the European market opens its doors to Indian table grapes because they aren't being harvested on any other continent at that time." India exports 370,000 tonnes a year to Europe, mainly to Britain. Boyal says that all the produce is EurepGap- and BRC-certified. Consumption of both okra and pomegranates is rising in Europe. "And the Middle East also depends heavily on our produce," he adds. (Hall 5.2, Stand C-09. Contact: Ramesh Kumar Boyal, Tel. +91 (0)11 2651 3162, e-mail: director@apeda.gov.in) Cocoyam and pea aubergines from Ghana "We get so many enquiries that we have difficulties meeting our delivery quotas and finding investors so that we can purchase more farmland," says Anthony Sikpa, the present of the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE). At the FRUIT LOGISTICA, Ghanaian exporters meet customers from their main markets in Europe and the Middle East. Representatives of organisations of suppliers of pineapples, mangos, papayas and vegetables are at the trade fair. FAGE will also be presenting the cocoyam root for the first time, a vegetable the Ghanaians are keen to encourage European consumers to discover as an alternative to the potato. Another vegetable celebrating its debut at the stand is a berry-like, green pea aubergine, which Sikpa says contains a lot of iron and is good for combating low blood pressure. (Hall 5.2, Stand C-04. Contact: Anthony Sikpa, Tel. +233 (0)244 937 924, e-mail: tonysikpa02@gmail.com) Republic of Ireland: Donelly has its own stand for the first time "We've regularly visited the FRUIT LOGISTICA in the past. This year we decided to have our own stand for the very first time, and we're very happy about it," says Alan Waters of the Irish company Donnelly Fruit & Veg. The family-run firm supplies retail chains like Aldi, Spar and Musgrave in the Irish Republic with fresh fruit and vegetables and prepares its own salads. "We've already had very successful talks with European providers. We now also want to meet producers from South America here," Waters adds. (Hall 21, Stand A-01. Contact: Alan Waters, Tel. +353 (0)86 851 9081, e-mail: alan.waters@donnelly.ie) Sweet snacks from Festifruits The French company Festifruits from the south-western region of Aquitaine will be presenting its new line of convenience foods at the 2013 FRUIT LOGISTICA: dried fruit for healthy snacks between meals. In addition to local fruits like apples and strawberries, the dried snacks also come in exotic varieties like pineapple, banana, kiwi and papaya. The company also sells the famous pruneaux d'Agen, an aromatic, dark-purple type of prune that boasts a protected designation of origin. First brought over to France from the Orient by crusaders in the 11th century, they are now popular with gourmets throughout Europe. The sweet fruit are stoned by hand and therefore guaranteed to contain less than 0.1% stone residue. All the fruit can be consumed without adding extra sugar, and retain their typical soft texture thanks to the careful drying procedure. (Hall 22, Stand F-04. Contact: Angelina Rosier, Tel. +33 (0)4 4357 4078, e-mail: france.trading@neuf.de) Seedless limes and colourful baby vegetables from Guatemala Nine companies and growers' organisations will be presenting themselves and their wide selection of fruits and vegetables at the Guatemalan joint stand. One of the newcomers to the trade fair is Luis Pedro Torrebiarte, who will be seeking new European markets for his seedless limes together with five other producers from the Ixin Quesal group. The women's cooperative Cuatro Pinos is also at the FRUIT LOGISTICA for the very first time. Alongside peas, sweet peas and runner beans, the cooperative will be presenting its palette of mini vegetables: corn cobs, patisson pumpkins and courgettes, as well as carrots in all sorts of colours. "We've specialised in baby vegetables because we can earn higher margins on them," Samara Zelada explains. Cuatro Pinos has almost 380 members. It is the only women's cooperative in the Guatemalan farming industry that has managed to establish itself on the export market and can therefore help women generate their own income. Since 2010, its entire annual harvest of about 900,000 kg has been exported – albeit mainly to the United States and Canada so far. (Hall 25, Stand C-13. Contact: Samara Zelada, Tel. +502 (0)909 15636, e-mail: Samara.marine@gmail.com) Egypt continues to have a strong presence at the FRUIT LOGISTICA "We're ready to serve 1.5 billion consumers!" says Commercial Secretary Ahmed Hosni at the 2013 FRUIT LOGISTICA. Fifty-two producers will be exhibiting their wares at the Egyptian Pavilion. "We're here to find more customers from Asia, North America and the Far East," Hosni adds. Ali Helmy Eissa, the chairman of the Egypt Agricultural Export Council, says 40% of his country's products – worth a total EUR 590 million – are exported to Europe. Every year, fruit and vegetables worth EUR 70 million are exported to Germany, primarily table grapes, potatoes and strawberries. (Hall 2.1, Stand A-01. Contact: Ali Helmy Eissa, Tel. +202 (0)25 283 611, e-mail: alieissa@gmail.com) Calabria bets on red onions from Tropea Calabria has been represented at the FRUIT LOGISTICA for the past ten years. At first, the region also took part in smaller trade fairs, mainly in its native Italy. But Alfredo Marchese, the director of the Esperia cooperative, says that's a thing of the past because he now stands a better chance of meeting Italian retailers in Berlin. However, he also makes many new contacts, particularly from Russia and other eastern European countries. In addition to citrus fruits, Calabria is betting primarily on Tropea's famous mild onion, which has protected geographical indication (PGI). Some 12,000 tonnes are grown every year. Because it is little-known outside Italy, Calabria has just launched an ad campaign together with a German chain of department stores. (Hall 4.2, Stand C-13. Contact: Giacomo Giovinazzo, Tel. +39 (0)961 853 074, e-mail: g.giovinazzo@regcal.it) High-performance Kronen dicers for delicate produce For the first time ever, Kronen is presenting itself at the FRUIT LOGISTICA together with four cooperation partners: GKS Packaging, JFPT foodlife, Tenrit-Foodtec and ZTI Mechatronics. "Our joint network enables customers to benefit from synergy effects and the associated cost-cutting potentials," says Stephan Zillgith, the managing partner of Kronen GmbH. The mechanical highlights on display include the high-performance KUJ V dicer. The completely redesigned version of this device has new tools offering higher slicing and product quality, greater ease of use, flexible mounting variations and optimised product transportation. A frequency modulator enables the machine to operate at up to seven speeds to ensure careful cutting of delicate produce like strawberries, beetroot and cooked potatoes. The KUJ V can process a maximum of 3000 kg of produce an hour. (Hall 3.1, Stand A-03. Contact: Esther Müller, Tel. +49 (0)7854 964 647, e-mail: esther.mueller@kronen.eu) Ellips cameras enable precise sorting of fruits and vegetables Four companies from the Netherlands, the US and Italy are presenting themselves at a joint stand at the FRUIT LOGISTICA. Roland Scheffler from the Dutch company Ellips says, "We make high-qualify cameras and measuring devices for machines in the fruit and vegetable-processing industry. So it seemed natural that we should present ourselves at the FRUIT LOGISTICA together with machine manufacturers Miedema (Netherlands), Elisam (Italy) and GP Graders (USA)." On display are one of Miedema's sorting machines that can assign extremely dirty potatoes to various weight classes. The Airjet, made by GP Graders, sorts cherries by differentiating between their various shades. The machine can also easily be used to reject lower-quality cherries that are damaged, shrivelled or have other deformations. For its part, Elisam will be presenting a machine that makes light work of the task of sorting a variety of fruits and vegetables. (Hall 6.1, Stand A-03. Contact: Roland Scheffer, Tel. + 31 (0)40 245 6540, e-mail: roland.scheffer@elips.nl) Morocco sees Russia as a dependable importer "We are continuing to prove our potential as a producer of high-quality fruits and vegetables," says General Secretary El Aid Mahsoussi of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Trade at his country's stand at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. Morocco's main export is citrus fruits – 530,000 tonnes of them every year. "Russia is our biggest buyer, accounting for almost 49% of the total," Mahsoussi adds. Trade relations between the two countries have solidified since 2005. France is and remains the largest importer of vegetables except tomatoes. It buys 290,000 of the 630,000 tonnes Morocco exports. (Hall 1.1, Stand A-04. Contact: El Aid Mahsoussi, Tel. +212 (0)5 3772 0581, e-mail: mahsoussi@mce.gov.ma)

CSPI: Girl Scouts Urged to Drop Bogus Claims Equating Cookies with Fruit

“Mango Crèmes with NutriFusionTM” Are as Junky as Other Cookies, Says CSPI WASHINGTON--It’s bad enough that the Girl Scouts of the USA sells cookies to raise money, but it shouldn’t pretend that its new “Mango Crèmes with NutriFusion” are nutritionally equivalent to fruit, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The cookies at issue are 98 percent white flour, sugar, palm oil, and dextrose (sugar made from corn). Yet marketing copy on the manufacturer’s website claims that its filling has “all the nutrient benefits of eating cranberries, pomegranates, oranges, grapes, and strawberries!” In a letter to Girl Scouts of America CEO Anna Maria Chávez, CSPI says that by marketing these new cookies as a “delicious new way to get your vitamins,” the Girl Scouts is misleading its young members and undermining their health. Besides flour, sugar, palm oil, and dextrose, the remaining 2 percent of Mango Crèmes with NutriFusion includes corn syrup, leavening, natural and artificial flavor, corn starch, salt, and coconut, followed by “nutrients from natural whole food concentrate (cranberry, pomegranate, orange, grape, strawberry, shitake mushrooms).” Soy lecithin, citric acid, malic acid, and annatto color round out the list of ingredients. A serving of three cookies has 180 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat, and less than a gram of fiber. CSPI says the tiny amounts of nutrients from fruit concentrate don’t make the cookies remotely equivalent to fruit of any kind. “The Girl Scouts should promote healthy eating through all of its educational activities, including fundraising,” wrote CSPI’s executive director Michael F. Jacobson and nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan. “Sweet baked goods, including cookies, are a leading source of calories, sugars, and fats in Americans’ diets.” “If there were a badge for misleading marketing I’m afraid the Girl Scouts of the USA just earned it,” Wootan said. Today is National Girl Scout Cookie Day.