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COMPANY PAGE



MENELAOS 2ND COVER
TEX 1
MSC 3 In this issue
APPLE CONGRESS 5
FRESKON 9 Freskon 2022 + Freskon Market:
DS SMITH 13 The preparations are in full progress
MACFRUT 21
ΗΕLLAGRO 22
International Apple Congress, Freskon:
Find the program and the topics of the Congress


Oranges: The difficulties are getting bigger



4 REPORTAGE




FRESKON 2022



THE HOME OF THE BALKAN

FRUIT MARKET!




Having established its importance not only for the Greek sector of fresh fruits and vegetables but also
Southeastern Europe, the fair returns more expanded and enhanced than ever, “filled” with new events
and participations.





























ovid -19 may have caused the cancellation of Freskon – International Trade Show for info
CFresh Fruit and Vegetables the past two years, but everything is ready for the fair
of 2022, which thousands of trade visitors and exhibitors from Greece and lots of other The trade show is aimed at
countries are expected to attend. This year Freskon will be held from 12 to 14 of May packaging and fruit distribution
2022 in Thessaloniki. The choice of the city is crucial, as Thessaloniki is considered to be companies, as well as importers,
an important location for professionals in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, operating exporters, wholesalers, retailers
both in the Balkan markets and in those of eastern and southern Europe. and other professionals. Exhibitors
A great event for the sector of fresh produce returns with even greater prospects and that are going to take part in
ambitions, having already verified its international character during the past five years. FRESKON are also packaging,
For this reason, in 2022 there will be numerous parallel events, organized by participants logistics, machinery companies,
and exhibitors which are not to be missed and of course business appointments that will as well as chemical laboratories,
hopefully develop into long-term and fruitful partnerships. The participants of Freskon nurseries etc.
2022 will have the opportunity to make contacts with the leading companies in the sector
and enter into new partnerships with dealers and producers from Southeast Europe.
More information
Don’t miss the “International Apple Congress” and “FreshCon Market”
Each year, the International Freskon Congress focuses on different fruit. In this edition about FRESKON:
this fruit will be the apple. In the framework of 6th Freskon “International Apple Congress” • Helexpo: Mrs. Tonia Nikolaidou,
will take place, which tends to bring together all the professionals of the international Tel.: +30 2310 291 161
apple sector and give solutions to its main problems. Also,“FreshCon Market 2022”will take e-mail: [email protected]
again its place inside Freskon bringing together the merchants of fruits and vegetables and • Froutonea Magazine:
hosting B2B meetings between Category Managers of the Department of Fresh Fruit and Mrs. Anna Macriyiorgou,
Vegetablesof the leading supermarket chains in Greece and the Balkans and professionals Tel: +30 210 48 12 212
of the fresh produce sector. e-mail: [email protected]



APRIL 2022



6 REPORTAGE











INTERNATIONAL APPLE CONGRESS





In the framework of the 6th Freskon (12-14 May 2022, Thessaloniki) will take place the “International Apple
Congress”, which tends to bring together all the professionals of the international apple sector and give solutions
to its main problems. In the following lines you have the chance to read who will be the speakers of the Congress.



Dr. Walter Guerra
Head of Institute for fruit Growing and Viticulture | Group leader Pomology
Dr. Walter Guerra was born in 1974, in Bolzano South Tyrol. He has a master in Agricultural Sciences at the
University of Padova, Italy and in 1999 he started his research work at the Department of Pomology of the
University of California Davis, USA. Furthermore, he is Secretary of the EUFRIN apple and pear variety and
rootstock testing group, member of the CPVO expert panel for apple, member of the variety commission of
the South Tyrolean Variety Innovation Consortium, involved in the former breeding research projects HiDRAS
and FruitBreedomics and in the ongoing project INVITE, member of the National Academy of Agriculture


Paulina Kopec
Manager of the Association/Marketing and PR in Fruit Union (Poland)
Paulina Kopec was born in 1983 and she is a graduate of Psychology of advertising/Psychology Faculty
in Poland. She has long experience in the marketing sector. The Polish Fruit Union is currently the largest
Polish Association working to promote national manufacturers and distributors of fruit and vegetables. The
Association was founded in 2010 and gathers all the largest export companies, groups and organisations of
producers, mainly the Masovia region.
Marco Bertolazzi
International Business Development Manager of C.I.V.
Marco Bertolazzi has run quickly an impressive academic and job career. He took his Bachelor of Technology
(B.Tech.) Field Of Study Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences from University of
Bologna in 2011 and then obtained an International Master in Horticultural Sciences Field from Technische
Universität München, an International Master in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Bologna and an
International Master in Horticultural Sciences Field from Universität für Bodenkultur Wien. From July 2017
till June 2019 he worked as Variety Manager (Business Development) of C.I.V. with his main activities related
to new plant varieties (Apples, Strawberries, Pears and Apple Rootstocks). He took the title of International
Business Development Manager in July 2019.


Alberto Dorigoni
Former Researcher in F.E. Mach
Alberto Dorigoni, former Researcher in F.E. Mach born in Trento, Italy in 1962 and graduated in Scienze
Agrarie in 1987, was researcher at the F.E. Mach from 1988 to 2021 and is a fruit grower himself. He carried
out agronomic trials in the 2 experiment farms of F.E.M. in the Trentino Province. After working on thinning
compounds and on the use of PGR’s, the main interest of his trials in the last 15 years moved toward the
training system of apple and pear to develop a sustainable orchard that reduces input of both chemicals and
labour and is suitable to mechanization. In the last years he was invited to present all over the world his
vision of a pedestrian 2D fruit-wall similar to the modern vineyards. Also he invented and pat[1]ented in 2012
the “window pruning machine”, a device that mimics hand pruning, designed for reducing labour of pruning.
He is giving advice to several big and small orchard owners in many parts of the world, with focus on orchard
design and tree architecture.



APRIL 2022

INTERNATIONAL APPLE CONGRESS FRESKON,
12 MAY 2022,


THESSALONIKI








Rafa Povo
Creative Director at Full Emotion
Rafa Povo has worked during his career at many companies as Creative Director, in charge of planning
marketing strategies. He has undertaken projects for great companies like Syngenta, Heineken, Leroy
Merlin, Hyundai etc., while from 2016 he delivers university courses in the ESNE (Escuela Universitaria de
Diseño, Innovación y Tecnología), Madrid.ion. He is also the Creative Director at Full Empotion.




Dionyssios Valassas
General Manager in the Zagora Cooperative
Dionysios Valassas was born in 1957 in Zagora, Pelion, where he comes from. He is a graduate of the Chemical
Department of the University of Athens. He took his first professional steps in the ALLATINI Food Industry
as Head of the Quality Control Department. It seems, however, that the desire to return to his home country
and offer his services in its development has always been kept alive. Thus, in 1984 he occupied the position
of General Manager in the Zagora Cooperative, which he holds until today. It should be noted that Dionysios
Valassas takes special care of his training, as he participates in many seminars in and outside Greece in order
to keep himself informed on developments and new developments in his field.


Giorgos Poultsidis
Owner of Emphyton
Giorgos Poultsidis was born in 1976 in Naoussa and graduated in Faculty of Agronomy at Thessaloniki.
He specialized in plant production during his studies in University Den Bosch (Holland) and he worked as
trainee in the Apple tree department of the Institute of Hardwood Trees in Naoussa. In 1997 he assumed the
management of his family business and he was the first that brought to Greece the patented apple cultivars,
as the brand KIKU, and introduced the dense form of plantations to the Greek producers. Since then he has
expanded his activities in preserving and packing apples.

Aris Constantinides
Sales Manager at Vitro Hellas
Aris Constantinidis was born in 1974 and is a graduate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a
Master’s Degree in Business Organization and Management (Strategic MBA) from the University of
Winchester. He started working at VITRO HELLAS in 2002 in the fruit trees department. Since 2007 he has
been responsible for introducing new protected varieties of fruit trees, as well as being trained in the new
planting patterns of fruit trees. He has been a Sales Manager of Fruit Trees for the last five years at VITRO
HELLAS SA. The company is the industry leader in plant propagation material, maintaining a tissue culture
lab and basic native plantation.







APRIL 2022

8 REPORTAGE











PROGRAMME OF THE FRESKON INTERNATIONAL APPLE CONGRESS



THURSDAY 2 MAY 2022 in Greece and in the world.
10.30-11.00 Registrations Speakers
11.00-11.30 Conference Opening • Alberto Dorigoni (Agronomist/Former Researcher in F.E. Mach)
Greetings from sponsors and organizers • Giorgos Poultsidis (Emphyton)

1ST PART 3RD PART
11.30-12.15 13.15-14.15
MARKETING AND SALES THE WORLD OF THE NEW CULTIVARS
Is it possible the marketing strategies to increase the apple sales? Get informed of the new apple cultivars. Which of them have
Which are the emerging markets? royalties and which not? In which countries are being cultivated
How do the s/m chains react to the brand projects? and which is their production volume? What happens in Greece
Speakers Speakers
• Paulina Kopec (Fruit Union) • Walter Guerra (Institute for fruit Growing and Viticulture)
• Rafa Povo (Full Emotion) • Marco Bertolazzi (CIV)
• Aris Konstantinidis (VIitro Hellas)
2ND PART
12.15-13.15 4TH PART
CULTIVATION METHODS AND MODERN 14.15-15.00
TECHNOLOGY FOR THE APPLE PRODUCTION THE APPLE AND THE AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES
The apple cultivation changes year after year. New plantation Are the cooperatives necessary for the trading of the apples?
methods and new pruning systems increase the yields What happens in Greece and in Europe?
per hectare and bring more profits to the producers. Answers and opinions by top cooperative executives.
Experts on these sectors analyze the latest facts Speakers
and they present to us the next day of the apple • Dionyssios Valassas (AC Zagora)

The sponsors

At this point, we would like to thank our sponsors, because the International Apple Congress would not take place, if it wasn’t for them.
Their interest was intense right from the beginning, something that makes us happy for having chosen apple to be the main product of our
conference for 2022. So, we present you the Sponsors of our conference:


GREAT SPONSORS



ASEPOP VELVENTOU




SPONSOR





SUPPORTERS





APRIL 2022



10 INTERVIEW









“THE FIRST KIWIFRUITS FROM NEW ZEALAND


WIIL ARIVE IN EUROPE FROM MID APRIL”



Froutonea discusses with Mr. Nick Kirton, Executive Officer,
Northern Hemisphere Supply of Zespri about the most im-
portant topics of the new season of kiwifruits in New Zealand.
Logistics and the working force are among the “hot” challenges
of the new season.






NICK KIRTON

EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE SUPPLY - ZESPRI






New Zealand’s kiwi harvest is about
to begin. What’s the volume expected
for the green and yellow kiwis*? What
about the caliber and the quality of the
fruits?
This season’s harvest of New Zealand-
grown Zespri Kiwifruit is now underway
and we are expecting another bumper
crop of good-quality fruit. We’re expecting this season or the normality is back?
volumes of at least 190 million trays (an COVID-19 continues to have an impact
increase on last year’s 177 million trays), on global supply chains and we know
with around 115 million trays of SunGold that this season will again present
Kiwifruit and around 70 million trays of We’re expecting volumes challenges. These include managing
Green. We’re hopeful that we’ll have the significant labour shortage we face,
another great-tasting crop given the of at least 190 million trays continued disruption to global shipping
favourable early summer conditions we (an increase on last year’s networks and the potential for increased
experienced. freight costs. We’ve built longstanding
177 million trays), relationships across the supply chain and
During the last export season and with around 115 million trays these will again be critical as we look to
due to the problems of the global safely pick, pack and ship this season’s
logistic chain, Zespri was forced of SunGold Kiwifruit crop. We’ll continue to monitor the export
to search for alternative ways and and around 70 million trays of shipping environment, and it’s likely
more ships to exports its kiwis to we’ll use more chartered reefer vessels
the various markets? Were there any Green this season which will provide greater
consequences on the price or on the flexibility. More broadly, the New Zealand
on time delivery of your fruits? Will industry has implemented a series of
you need to use the same solutions operational changes designed to smooth
out the supply of fruit, including adjusting


APRIL 2022

our incentives, pack types and shipping Global demand for Zespri Kiwifruit is very
schedules to help maximise industry strong thanks to the health and nutritional
capacity, and the industry continues to benefits of our kiwifruit, as well as our
observe enhanced safety protocols across commitment to quality and the investment
the industry in light of COVID-19. we continue to make in the brand. Our
focus will continue to be on establishing
When the first New Zealand kiwis 12-month supply so that we can continue
will arrive in Europe and when will to work with our Northern Hemisphere
you start sending big quantities to the growers to expand our supply and provide
European market? Do you see enough year-round access to our fruit, including
free market place for your kiwis in in the months where New Zealand-grown
Europe during the beginning of the fruit is unavailable.
season?
We’re really encouraged by the strong Finally, please give us an update on
global demand we’re continuing to see your plans for the Zespri RubyRed™.
for our fresh, Vitamin C-rich kiwifruit. We This season marks the first time Zespri
expect our first delivery to our customers RubyRed Kiwifruit will be available in
and consumers in Europe to arrive in mid- commercial volumes following successful Zespri appoints Dario
to-late April, and we’re also continuing trial exports over the last three years. Vegetti as Head
to supply Green Kiwifruit from our We’ve received great feedback from of European Supply
Northern Hemisphere growing partners. consumers in Singapore, Japan, China and
This is a fundamental part of our ongoing New Zealand about the fruit’s delicious Zespri is pleased to announce the
commitment to establish 12 month supply berry-like taste and we’ve seen Zespri appointment of Dario Vegetti to the
and ensure that Zespri Kiwifruit continue RubyRed Kiwifruit attract new and younger role of Head of European Supply
to hold shelf space. consumers to the kiwifruit category. This based in Bologna, Italy. Dario has
season, fruit will again be supplied to our been part of the Zespri team since
People here in Greece say that it is sure consumers in New Zealand, Singapore, 2015, initially as a commercial
that in 2023 the first orchards of Zespri Japan and China. analyst, and he most recently held
SunGold kiwifruit for commercial the role of Supply Chain Manager.
production will be established. Do you Zespri Global Supply plays a
confirm it? Which are the plans for critical role in Zespri’s mission of
the Greek production once the first establishing 12 month supply of
orchards will be established? kiwifruit and delivering sustainable
Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit trials have been returns to growers.
in place since 2018 in Greece and we’ve Nick Kirton, Executive Officer of
seen some positive results. Subject to Zespri Global Supply congratulates
the development of a successful business Dario on his appointment and says
case and a potential Producer Vote in New that it is particularly pleasing for
Zealand, Zespri hopes to licence the first Zespri to be able to appoint one
commercial plantings of Zespri SunGold of their talented European team
Kiwifruit in Greece in 2023 and commence members to this important role.
commercial sales by 2025. Zespri plans “As Zespri continues to expand
to continue to work with growers to its activities in Europe, Dario’s in-
establish SunGold Kiwifruit, increasing the depth knowledge of the European
production base year on year. Fresh Produce Industry and his
strong relationships with our
A global inflation wave shakes the European partners in Italy, France
world markets. Zespri is also a global and Greece will be critical,” says
player when it comes to the kiwis. Mr. Kirton. Dario will start his role
Does Zespri fear that this inflation will on 1 April. He succeeds Damian
affect strongly the absorption of the Young who has returned to New
kiwis in general? What can Zespri do Zealand.
in order to secure the demand for its
kiwis as much as possible?



APRIL 2022

12 PRODUCTS



















Ò Kiwifruits




EXPORTS INCREASED BUT TRADERS DISSATISFIED




The kiwifruit trade is coming to an end, but stocks are still high and this development does not
allow traffickers to calm down as it is now possible to record losses from the management of kiwis
this season.


21,533 tons, the USA with 14,251 tons and Poland with 10,324
tons. As for Ukraine, this country usually absorbs 8,000-10,000
tons of Greek kiwi and before the war broke out it had absorbed
3,674 tons. In other words, we will have a deficit from Ukraine
close to 7,000 tons, while the losses from the Russian market may
even exceed 10,000 tons. In other words, from the war in Ukraine,
the Greek kiwi will have losses close to 15,000 tons.










Rising storage and packaging costs, transport
derailment, sluggish demand, the loss
We are in the mid of March and the commercial course of kiwis of Ukrainian and Russian markets, rising soft
is going from bad to worse, as prices remain stuck at the same
level, while at the same time the cost of storage has skyrocketed fruit prices and low prices are the cocktail
and prices for packaging materials have caught fire! Close to all of problems that kiwis are currently facing
this we must add the fact that as time goes by, the percentages
of softened fruits go up. The set of problems is completed by the
subdued demand that has manifested itself in all the markets of
Europe, with the closing of the market of Ukraine and Russia, and The next period
with the derailment of transport. In this cocktail of problems, the As we said before, what is important for traffickers now is to
current goal for traffickers is not to make a profit, but at least to reduce their stocks as soon as possible, in order to reduce their
limit the losses as much as possible. losses. Exports, as everything shows, will record a significant
increase and we may set a record of exports this year. But the
Exports statistics, as we have said other times, are a bit confusing
Kiwi exports are up 9.57% until the 10th week of the year sometimes. They give you an idea, but they hide the basics from
compared to the same period last year. In the first places in terms you! And in the case of this year’s kiwi commercial, the «key» is
of absorption is Italy with 41,820 tons, followed by Spain with that there will be no profit for traffickers!



APRIL 2022



14 INTERVIEW






“THE CLOSURE OF THE COMMERCIAL


GATES OF RUSSIA WILL BE A DISASTER


FOR THE GREEK STRAWBERRIES”



The consequences that the Greek strawberry sector is suffering
during the three first weeks of the Russian military invasion to
Ukraine describes to Froutonea Mr. Makis Zacharis, owner of
Agroline Fruit.



MAKIS ZACHARIS

OWNER OF AGROLINE FRUIT


Mr. Zacharis, first of all tell us what
is going on at the moment with the
Ukrainian strawberry market?
Because of the war, many supermarket
stores are empty and the vast majority
of the strawberries are bought for the
hospitals or the army. As a consequence,
the volumes that we would send to Ukraine
have to be redirected to other markets. We cannot predict what is going to be,
Despite that, the up to this moment low but an eventual bankruptcy of Russia, or
productivity of the Greek greenhouses, the halt of the commercial flows between
in combination with the fact that Ukraine Russia and its neighboring, which could
was not a market of high importance for be generated by a political decision of
the Greek strawberries has helped the Exports to Russia may not any side, would be a catastrophe for the
problem of the commercial circulation of Greek strawberries. In general, the future
the fruits not to get exaggerated. have stopped so far, but they of the Greek strawberries lies on the
have become more expensive developments in the Russian market.
Are other problems being recorded since the day the war broke Next to these, let me remind you that the
due to the war? top of the strawberry plants productivity
The combustibles needed for the trucks out, as oil prices and the cost lies in front of us and a very big productivity
have got very expensive and their drivers of transporting strawberries along with the permanence of such tragic
ask more money to go to specific markets. market condition would consist a very bad
Furthermore, regarding to Russia, it from neighboring countries, combination.
is a fact that the exports towards there such as Poland, have become
have not been stopped till this moment, What can the Greek export companies
but their cost has also been increased more expensive. do in such conditions?
since the outbreak of the war. Beyond the The exporters will of course try to
factors already mentioned, there is the alleviate the consequences by redirecting
general transit cost of the products from their products to other markets. Although,
neighboring countries like Poland that has banks from the international Swift System, there must be government measures
risen. On the other hand, the devaluation the payments are not secured. adopted for the economic support and
of the Russian currency has made our the reimbursing of the producers and
products very expensive for the Russians. Do you afraid more negative the exporters that are being negatively
Finally, after the ejection of Russian developments for the next period? affected by the war.



APRIL 2022

ÒOranges





THE DIFFICULTIES GROW



The marketing of oranges has gone from bad to worse, as the problems caused by the frost have been
compounded by low demand, with absorption falling to less than 50% in the first ten days of March
compared with the last ten days of February.




We are now in the mid of March and
the marketing of oranges continues with
great difficulty, as the effects of the frost
are now evident, so that the packaging of
the product has become a difficult puzzle
for strong solvers! But let’s see how things
are by variety and let’s start with the
Merlin oranges, because most of them -
as reported by traders from Argolida - is
now unsuitable for marketing, as whatever
juice is left in the fruit is now bitter and
has a bad smell. It should be noted here
that since the frost, the producer price for
the Merlin variety in Argolida has been
below 15 cents per kg for product loaded
in the truck, with cooperatives in the area the fruit at the time of writing these lines, simultaneous surge in inflation. According
accepting 30% returned quantities. are causing other kinds of difficulties for to economic analysts, when we have
However, there are also problems with the traders. stagflationary conditions such as those
the Lane Late variety, as this variety has that Europe is currently experiencing,
begun to lose its juice, while there are few Low demand demand for almost all products also falls.
estates that have a tolerable quality of But it is not only the frost that is causing
product. As for producer prices, they vary many problems this year for the smooth
widely from farm to farm and producers on movement of citrus fruit; to this we must
the few farms that are in good conditions add the large drop in demand for oranges Ιt is not only the frost that
are not selling at the moment, expecting that has occurred on all European markets.
higher prices! The export figures are revealing of the is causing many problems
situation, as they show that demand in the this year for the smooth
The Valencia variety 10th week of this year has fallen by 55%
In their efforts to obtain oranges compared with the 9th and 8th weeks, movement of citrus fruit;
suitable for marketing, the traders have and since the beginning of the season, the to this we must add the large
turned their attention to the Valencia reduction in exports of oranges has been
variety. As a result, harvesting of this late 15.67% compared with the previous year! drop in demand for oranges
variety has already begun, with producer Authoritative analysts point out that the that has occurred on all
prices at around 18 cents per tree. Despite decline in demand is due to a «cocktail» of
that, frost problems have appeared on this problems (coronavirus, war in Ukraine, European markets
variety as well but we can say that the rising energy costs, unfair competition,
quality of the fruit is tolerable for the time transport derailment) that has «settled»
being. However, the increased percentages over almost all European countries, having
in the small sizes, and the low sugars in caused a recession in the economy and a




APRIL 2022

16 INTERVIEW









“THE EUROPEAN APPLE MARKET


IS SUFFERING FROM THE PROBLEMS

OF LOGISTICS AND THE INFLATION”




The difficulties that appear on the way of the apples to the mar-
kets are serious, confesses to Froutonea the marketing and sales
director of the VIP Consortium, Mr. Fabio Zanesco.









FABIO ZANESCO

SALES & MARKETING
MANAGER, VIP



Mr. Zanesco, how would you assess
the exports of the Italian apples during
the current season? Is the Italian apple
sector satisfied with the volume and
the prices of the sales?
We knew from the beginning we were
facing a difficult season, and I have to
admit we unfortunately experienced the European apple industry needs
things getting worst month after month. increased access to export markets if we
The logistics side of our business is want to maintain a well-balanced apple
obviously as important as the growing/ market inside the EU.
quality side: we need to get the fruits to
our customers, markets and consumers We surely have new projects Spaniards are complaining for the
with the right timing, the best quality and and are looking forward scaling up of the apple production
the right price. As long as transport by costs. The same happens also in
truck is concerned, we managed to serve to meet our customers again Greece. At which level have the costs
all destinations with increased costs face-to-face in Berlin, of the apple production in Italy been
but no major disruption: our customers affected? At which links of the post-
are also moving fruits and therefore after two long years. harvest supply chain and due to which
the cost discussion was fairly open. On We will unveil there some factors does this increase occur?
the contrary, the extra-EU container As we all live in a strongly interconnected
business is significantly complicated by news, that we prefer to keep economy, the cost explosion has directly
the post-Covid consequences, therefore under wraps right now! struck all companies dealing in fruit
reefer containers are difficult to get, very production. We are talking 5 to 10 cent per
expensive and increasingly late or very kilo, depending on the specific structure of
difficult to program. Our access to farther each company, but all links of the value
markets was reduced and our CIF prices chain are involved: growing, energy (think
were often not allowing the sales of the of the electricity needed to conserve the
desired volumes. We cannot be satisfied; apples in the cold-rooms for months…),



APRIL 2022

personnel, packaging, transports. The final not sustainable in the medium term. On
figure cannot be put only on the shoulders the other side, we cannot simply destroy
of the growers, if not the primary sector a significant quota of our food-production
will not have any financial sustainability, capacity just for the sake of being “greener”
not even in the short term. We understand too fast. We, as a Company, have over
that our customers/retailers are trying 20% of our surface in organics and are the
to manage their own cost increases and first EU apple organic producer, with over
not to scare consumers that are already 50.000 tons; but we notice already that
experiencing a big inflation in their monthly organic apple production and consumption
bills, but part of the cost will have to be are not well-balanced at the moment,
transferred to the POS, I see no other and demand is not keeping up with the
solution. available volumes. If you also consider
the economic crisis, I can only stress once
Officers from big exporting companies more that we need time for the whole
assess that the inflation will take a system to adapt.
special toll on the sales of the organic Plantations of Cosmic
products. Do you see now or do you Crips®are being now finalized, We are entering the second half of
afraid less demand for organic apples the season and so there comes the
in the near future? Could we say that at least for the first phase, launching of the new brand apples that
the inflation will also affect in some and volumes will rapidly grow VIP manages (RedPop, Giga, Cosmic
way or in some more weak markets Crisp). Which are your expectations
the marketing of the various brand in a few years to 40.000 tons for this season? At which markets will
apples as well, since these apples be directed and which are the plans for
are more expensive than the regular new plantations?
varieties? At the moment we at VIP are working only
I do not think it will be a matter of organic on Cosmic Crips® with our South-Tyrolean
or not, and at the moment we are seeing colleagues of VOG. After some test-sales
different dynamics. Consumers can react in Italy last season, we launched the first
to inflation in different ways, i.e. consuming “real” commercial campaign of Cosmic
less of the same produce, scaling down to Crips® at the end of February, focusing
cheaper versions of the same produce, on Italy, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia, UK.
moving to different goods or starting to The first days were a real rush to get the
buy increasing volumes during promotions. apples to the shelves, we are very satisfied
The final equilibrium will always be found and believe we now have a produce that
between demand and offer, and we do not can “change the rules of the game” in the
live in a single monolithic market; we have second part of the season. Plantations are
many different varieties, sizes, references, being now finalized, at least for the first
and each one will be under more or less phase, and volumes will rapidly grow in a
pressure to find their financial viability. A few years to 40.000 tons.
very complicated picture, in short.
Does VIP wish to unveal some of its
Assomela has announced its worries projects for the near future? Does
that the European Green Deal and the VIP have any special plans that you
“From Farm to Fork” strategy will bring would like to share with the fruits and
soon significant reduction in the Italian vegetables business community? The
apple production and as a consequence Fruit Logistica is also coming. Which
loss of markets. Do you adopt these are your expectations and your aims
worries? Is there any possibility of for your presence in this new edition?
these strategies to be modificated and (as fruit growing and agriculture are) must Well, we surely have new projects and
if not how can VIP secure its production focus on progressive evolution and not are looking forward to meet our customers
volume and its markets under the new too-quick revolution. We need to produce again face-to-face in Berlin, after two long
circumstances? better, we need to reduce progressively years. We will unveil there some news,
I share the worries of my colleagues at the impact on the environment and we that we prefer to keep under wraps right
Assomela, as I believe complex systems have to move away from practices that are now!



APRIL 2022

18 PRODUCTS









FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022

GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION



With the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award and the Spotlights, the leading trade fair for the global
fruit trade, which will take place from 5th to 7th April 2022 in Berlin, offers a large platform for pre-
miers and novelties.


The nominees for the most coveted international
award in the fruit trade have been finalised. A jury
consisting of experts from all areas of the value chain
has selected the nine most innovative products,
services and technical solutions introduced in the
market last year. On 5th and 6th April 2022, the first
two days of the fair, professional visitors can get an
overview of the innovations in a special area in Hall
20 and will then be able to vote for their favourites.
Which of the following nominations will be voted
as the Innovation of the Year and take home the
prestigious “FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award” on
7th April 2022?










01 02










Amela Tomato Amoresco®
The Amela tomato is an innovative variety developed in Japan. A unique beta-carotene rich, orange-coloured Romanesco
By reducing irrigation to a minimum, sugars and acids can be cauliflower with attractive shape, sweetness and flavour. It retains
concentrated. Amela is distinguished by its high Brix values and its colour even after cooking, and is available fresh from November
high levels of nutrients and amino acids. These provide a fine to February, although it is also excellent for the frozen food
balance of flavours. Available in sizes between 50 and 140 g. market.




info Info
Εταιρεία: Granada La Palma, S.Coop.And. Εταιρεία: HM.CLAUSE SAS
Χώρα: Spain Χώρα: France
Web: www.amela-tomato.com Web: www.hmclause.com




APRIL 2022

03 04













Flying Autonomous Robots (FARs)™ Genap Energy Cover
Flying autonomous robots, with full six degrees of freedom of The Genap Energy Cover is a unique combination of
orientation, can harvest many different fruits, thus reducing the technologies. They not only form a floating cover for irrigation
need for manual picking. The robots’ ability to approach each basins, offering protection against the formation of algae.
fruit from an optimal position and angle is based on deep artificial Their integrated solar panels also generate energy in an
intelligence and computer vision. These guarantee harvesting at environmentally friendly way.
an optimal stage of ripeness.



info info
Εταιρεία: Tevel Advanced Technologies Ltd Εταιρεία: Genap B.V.
Χώρα: Israel Χώρα: Netherlands
Web: www.tevel-tech.com/technology Web: www.genap.nl










05 06









iStem™ Red Crush®
This unique variety of stem cauliflower can be perfectly Red Crush® is the first totally red lettuce which is intensely
portioned and eaten either raw or cooked whole. The stem grows coloured from the outside to the heart. The Red Crush® concept
to 13 cm and develops another smaller stem together with a comes in several varieties: a Little Gem with deliciously crunchy
number of leaves. The plant is very rich in fibre, and the stem is leaves, a Mini Cos with delicate, fine red foliage and a slightly
edible with a sweet, nutty taste. sugary taste, and a Multileaf with serrated leaves.





info Info
Εταιρεία: Syngenta Seeds BV Εταιρεία: Gautier Semences
Χώρα: Netherlands Χώρα: France
Web: www.syngentavegetables.com Web: www.gautiersemences.com/international




APRIL 2022

20 PRODUCTS









07 08










Schur®Star Eat-Grow-Repeat Bag Sinclair EcoLabel HOME™
Vertically oriented pea plants in an organic hemp substrate ’in Sinclair Ecolabel HOME™ is a first-generation, direct contact,
the bag’. After separating the upper part of the bag, the bottom food-safe compostable fruit label for high-speed, automated
forms the pot for the plant. After the first harvest, the bag should application. Paper based and plastic free, SEH is independently
be placed on a windowsill and given light, water, and a little love. certified “OK compost HOME” (OKH-S0728) by TÜV Austria.
Growth will continue with more peas to be picked - simple, healthy Available in different sizes.
and delicious!




info info
Εταιρεία: Schur Star Systems GmbH Εταιρεία: Sinclair International Co.
Χώρα: Germany Χώρα: Great Britain
Web: www.schur.com Web: www.sinclair-intl.com





Lights off, spot on!
Η FRUIT LOGISTICA
But FRUIT LOGISTICA
did not roll out the red carpet
09 “Lights off, spot on!”
only for FLIA nominees.
is the motto for the premiers
and novelties presented
as Spotlight. The collection
of global, European and trade
fair premieres is the easiest
Sunions™ way for professional visitors
The Sunions™ variety offers consumers a new way to enjoy to get an overview of the latest
onions. They do not bring tears to the eyes when cut and have a developments in the fruit trade
mild, sweet taste. And these attributes are maintained even with industry. Altogether
prolonged storage. Available in nets from 350 to 750 g. 27 innovations from eleven
countries – including
13 world premieres –
can be discovered
in this year’s Spotlight Overview.



info
Εταιρεία: BASF Vegetable Seeds Business
Χώρα: Netherlands
Web: www.nunhems.com




APRIL 2022