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The Fruit Logistica Trade Fair that took place in Berlin, Germany has produced tangible results for two Western Cape-based companies, and promising leads for several others in the fruit industry.

The Chief Operating Officer of Idea Fruit, Mr Dumisani Davids said they managed to secure new deals in South East Asia and some parts of Europe for their peaches, apples and pears.

“We had fruitful engagements with representatives of companies from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia who were keen to source fruits from us as soon as the season starts. Bangladeshi representatives want to buy just about everything from us for a new city in the north that is currently being industrialised. We also had some good orders from India and Malaysia,” said Davids.

The Managing Director of UniChoice, Mr Anton van Zyl said he received orders from importers based in Canada, Europe, India and the Middle East.

“The best thing about the new orders for our citrus, table grape, apples, pears, butternut and pumpkin that we received is that they are long-term,” he said.

The Economic Counsellor at the South African Embassy in Berlin, Mr Jacob Moatshe reiterated that Germany was the most important market for South Africa especially in the fruits and nuts sector.

He said South African fruits were appealing to the German market. He expressed the Embassy’s gratitude to the SA fruit industry and related associations for their relentless efforts in putting an outstanding showpiece that demonstrated the South African capacity.

“We would also like to commend the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Stellenbosch in partnering with the South African Table Grape Industry in modelling SA capability to the world, at this international platform, through the launch of the new table grape cultivar,” added Moatshe.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry