"Before the pandemic and energy crises, people in Norway bought 5 kg worth of fruit and vegetables, now they buy 1 kg and go get more if they need," is how Andre Stoltenberg, Sales manager of importer Interfrukt in Norway, describes the change in buyer behaviour.
He says since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resultant energy crises that followed afterwards, consumers in Norway have less disposable income to spend. "What we have seen in the Horeca market, since Covid and the energy crises, people started to have less money in their pockets, they want to save a bit of money. People are buying more basic products to prepare dinner, like onions, carrots and cabbages. Sales for these products are increasing. During the pandemic we were advised not to go to the supermarket, the foodbox industry increased a lot, you could order fruit and vegetables and have it delivered at home."
Vegard Lien Kvelstad, is the new managing director of Interfrukt, a Norwegian importer that has been in the market for over 38 years. He has just returned from Madrid, where he visited many suppliers, "who all had a very positive view of Interfrukt as a company and its employees."
The majority of their fruit and vegetable import supply from around the world comes via the Netherlands. They rely on Spain for direct imports in summer and winter for the citrus and vegetable supply. "Our main import is from the Netherlands. Poland is also big for us and also overseas citrus, grapes and apples from South America and South Africa. Netherlands supplies both fruit and vegetables. Capsicum, cucumber and tomatoes is a big line for us from the Netherlands," explains Stoltenberg.
However, the changing weather patterns in Spain are a cause for concern that affects the quality of the fruit too. "The very dry weather and less water, while the summer is getting warmer and warmer in Spain and the Mediterranean region. Interfrukt have good connections in Spain, so for us supply has been more or less normal. Our experience with our suppliers is the fact that they have less water available, they need to focus more on production to maintain the same good quality."
Interfrukt is also open for switching to other supplying countries. "For example, Eastern European countries like Poland, Albania and Serbia. Poland is a big apple, vegetable and mushroom exporter for us. And we experience that markets are moving a bit towards these countries," states Stoltenberg.
Exotics demand stable, avocado demand growing in Norway
"Exotics are very stable, running 12 months of the year. Most of the volume is loaded in Holland, from where they import from all over the world. They mix pallets for us with all kinds of exotic fruits. There is a big demand for avocados, which is still growing in Norway. Avocados are very important now and growing by a lot, it's a huge product," declares Stoltenberg.
Looking to the coming winter period and consumption in Norway, as well as supply from other countries, Stoltenberg says supply from Spain will most likely be stable. "Consumption in the Horeca market will be stable or increasing. When it comes to supply, what I hear is that Spain is more or less normal and we expect a normal season."
Norway to switch over to imports later
Currently, Norway has an unseasonably warm autumn, with temperatures around 10 degrees. "We see in Norway it's 10 degrees in Oslo, that's still warm for this time of the season. It means domestic production lasted far longer than last year and it will last longer for this season. That's not so normal, Interfrukt only does imports and will start later this season due to the stable warm weather. Normally, we see a huge demand on Spanish vegetables like iceberg lettuce and broccoli this time of the year, but it is still growing locally due to the warm weather in Norway. Imports have started slowly, but will increase quickly from next week already," concludes Stoltenberg.
For more information:
Vegard Lien Kvelstad
Interfrukt SA
Tel: +47 45 26 83 66
[email protected]
www.interfrukt.no