Market analysis, opportunities and perspectives in the fresh-cut convenience industry were centre stage at the first FRESHCONEX Congress, which was held the day before the new trade fair. The Congress, organised jointly by Eurofruit magazine and the United Fresh Produce Association, focused on two key sectors of the industry: food retailing and food services. One important finding of the Congress applies to both sales channels for fresh-cut products: the quality must be right and indeed improved further in many areas. Bill Davies from British food retailer Marks & Spencer called on fruit and vegetable producers to start with seeds and to create their own varieties for the convenience market, products such as the Intense, a tomato that does not lose juice when cut, and which has therefore been nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2008. All participants agreed that the European market for fresh-cut produce is still fertile ground and offers a huge growth potential.

Fresh-Cut Produce Already a Hit in Holland

Convenience foods have long played an important role in the fruit and vegetable industry in Holland. More than 80 processing firms already work specifically for this segment of the market. That's why the Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality took the bull by the horns and organised an all-Dutch Stand at the FRESHCONEX through the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Sales consultancy chief Carsten Estl proudly reports that the participating companies signed their first contracts within two hours on the first day of the trade fair. In line with the theme "Quality from Next Door", 10 Dutch firms are presenting a wide range of products, including raw vegetable salads, several varieties of cut potatoes and snack carrots. The exhibitors' principal aim is to establish contact with European customers in the retail and food services industries. But as Carsten Estl is well aware, "We'll also be running into plenty of Dutch decision-makers in Berlin."

Eisberg: Premiere for Freshpack salad

Working women on their lunch-break are ideal customers for the Eisberg Group's Freshpack salad. At its FRESHCONEX premiere, the Swiss company launched a brand new product: a ready-to-eat salad with everything packed in separate compartments, from the mixed salad and dressing, to olives, cheese, a fork and a serviette. "The pack is the perfect solution for the growing demand for healthy food for hectic lifestyles," says Managing Director Thomas Schneiter. The retail market for convenience products is already booming in Switzerland. Average annual per-capita consumption of fresh-cut products is a staggering three kilograms. The Eisberg Group is one of the leading suppliers of convenience salads. By its own estimates, the company is the market leader in this segment, particularly in central and eastern Europe. Eisberg's product range comprises freshly produced high-quality salads, mixed salads and salad dressings for a variety of tastes and preferences. "A good convenience provider keeps track of his products from the farmer's field to the point of sale" was how Schneiter explained the secret of his success. "How else can you guarantee that the consumer gets genuinely fresh produce?"

Apple slices from South Tyrol – The ideal break-time snack

Fresh, crunchy, sliced and bagged. Apple slices from South Tyrol are delicious. In response to the growing demand for convenience products, VOG-Products has been selling handy 80g bags of bite-size chunks of South Tyrol apples for the past year. During this time, Klaus Gasser, Managing Director of VOG-Products, has made a number of startling discoveries. "The healthy side of fruit is often overestimated as a sales argument" Gasser says. "In fact, convenience, design and the experience are much more important." This is no problem for the apple bags. The Gala and Golden Delicious varieties are produced in South Tyrol based on organic cultivation regulations in accordance with GlobalGAP guidelines. The apples are washed, cut into slices, dipped in a calcium ascorbate solution and packed in bags. If the cold chain is unbroken, the apple snack can be stored for up to a fortnight. And it always looks and tastes fresh and delicious.

FanoFineFood: Healthy, Tasty and Convenient

FanoFineFood has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small-scale supplier of foods for the restaurant trade. Today, the company is a major producer of cold-storage salads, meals, sauces and quiches. "Modern consumers are hard to please. They make huge demands and expect their food to be healthy, tasty, fresh and varied," says Managing Director Mark de Vos. The number-one demand is that the food is at least as good as the homemade equivalent, but much simpler to prepare. To this end, the Dutch company's production plants meet all the relevant European food manufacture and environment directives. FanoFinefood is presenting its entire product range at FRESHCONEX and is looking forward to speaking with German retailers as well as wholesalers for the restaurant and catering industry.