“The Asian market is a difficult market, particularly the Chinese market. Transport is difficult in Asian countries, because you’re always dealing with air freight, and quality can’t always be guaranteed,” says Victor Bernad, manager of DBS Agro. “Besides the tricky transport, market access to Asian countries in general and China in particular is very limited. Only Belgian pears are currently sent to China, and we’re waiting for an agreement in negotiations.”
Victor Bernad and Gunther de Boelpaep during Asia Fruit Logistica last year.
“Yet we’ve noticed the Asian market asking for European products. Among Chinese customers, there’s a sense European products are better regarding food safety than local products. We could respond to that as Europe, but if our fruit and vegetables aren’t allowed access, that’s difficult,” Victor continues. “Yet it’s now even more annoying that the difference in eating habits is quite large. Not all Asian consumers are familiar with European products, but that number is decreasing. Most of the European products is still meant for international hotels and restaurants.”
DBS Agro’s stand at the Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong 2017.
In September, the Asia Fruit Logistica will take place again. “Not much has changed yet since the last fair. We’re naturally hoping markets will become more accessible, but no one knows when that’ll be. There have been some Belgian trade missions and negotiations to export products such as chicory, lettuce and tomatoes to China, but these talks started about two years ago. It’s difficult to guess when the market will become accessible, but I believe it will happen in the short or medium term due to growing demand for European products,” Victor concludes.
For more information:
Victor Bernad
DBS Agro
Mechelsesteenweg 120
V7, Kaai 540
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
T +32 15 56 95 58