Farm Trans has been active on the European continent for many years, but in recent years, have also gained customers outside Europe who rely on their logistics services. One of these customers is located in Egypt and focuses on cultivating, harvesting, packaging and delivering vegetables and fruits to international customers.
Tom Steenmeijer, sales director, with the Egyptian strawberries.
Some vegetables and fruits are only available in the Netherlands and other European countries for a limited period of time. Due to the warm climate, many vegetables and fruits grow year-round in the water-rich areas of Egypt, including strawberries. From September to March, and especially around the Christmas season, there is more demand for strawberries than can be supplied in Europe.
Farm Trans plays a crucial role as the European logistics service provider for the Egyptian producer, with the number of shipments increasing year after year, totalling more than 1,600 tons of strawberries this year. "As a logistics service provider, Farm Trans not only ensures short-term solutions but actively collaborates on improvements to facilitate the growing volume in the future and maintain the quality of the products. It is essential that strawberries are delivered to the end customer as quickly as possible after harvest," states Steenmeijer.
The journey of a strawberry
Once the season for Egyptian strawberries begins, Farm Trans Connected Services, their control tower, has a dedicated team ready to guide the operation, operating 24/7. When a transport order for fresh strawberries is received, the process starts on the same morning. In the early morning, the strawberries are harvested in Egypt, carefully packed, and transported to the airport. The strawberries are flown to Europe in the late afternoon. At the end of that same day, Farm Trans handles the entire process and logistics.
Farm Trans takes care of tasks such as handling at the airport, performing customs formalities, as well as phytosanitary inspections and other required checks for the strawberries. Farm Trans coordinates the continuation of the journey of the strawberries from A to Z, supported by their branches in Europe and the United Kingdom. The strawberries are transported to their final destination with their own trucks, the majority of which go to retailers in the United Kingdom. While the strawberries were still in the ground in the morning, they were ready to be sold 30 hours later.
Farm Trans does not limit itself to performing transport; it encompasses the entire logistics
process. From handling, customs and VAL/VAS to transport. Connected Services ensures the entire logistics process is closely executed and monitored. This way, Farm Trans also maintains contact with the customers of their clients. "Our clients receive the support they need from us for complex logistical challenges. The result? Strawberries are transported safely, fresh and professionally seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day," concludes Steenmeijer.
For more information:
Farm Trans
Tel: +31 (0) 168 74 54 50
[email protected]
www.farmtrans.com