Israeli company turns to seaweed to fill gap
"The decline in value of the Russian Rubble and the saturated market in Europe caused by the export ban into Russia had produced an unbearable situation filled with risks and low prices," said Omer Kamp of Arava. Still, nonetheless, where there is danger, there lurks opportunity. According to Omer, the secret to success lay in understanding what the market needs and wants. As it seems, and figures speak for themselves, the market is thirsty for specialties and niche products.
Traditionally when a market is flooded, main players which include, retailers, wholesalers and traders seek alternatives so they can differentiate from others and attract an already educated consumer base. Therefore, niche lines and specialties play a major role in such a scenario. "This is the scenario we are now in," according to Omer Kamp.
Resulting from that, Omer goes on to explain that in recent years, under the radar, marine agriculture had developed rapidly in Israel. Public awareness and demand for healthier culinary ingredients had started to make waves from one end to the other, which in return, paved the way for innovations and accessibilities. One farm, however, tops the chart and caught their attention. This farm is one of the few, probably the only one in existence, that grows genuine Organic Seaweeds via a method of purifying deep ocean water that is later pumped into specialized growing sleeves.
To provide an overview and briefly explain the essence of how the farm operates, here is a break down of the procedure:
1. Deep water from the Mediterranean are being pumped into a huge pool 100 meters offshore.
2. The water, at this stage, is cleansed and purified. Since it is pumped from the depths, heavy metals and Vessels' Petro chemicals are absent.
3. Cleansed sea-water from the main pool is distributed via smaller pipes into circulated sleeves located in greenhouses.
4. Within the sleeves the Seaweed is grown in a floating / bubbling method, avoiding the development of fungi.
Sea Lettuce (Uva Lactuca) and Red Seaweed (Gracilaria) are currently the 2 lines produced at the farm. Health remedies from these products are exceptional.
At the moment production can sustain 100 tons annually and increased if and when needed.
In today's market conditions, niche lines and specialties provide profitability and popularity in our daily trade and thus, it goes without saying, that Seaweed holds an extraordinary potential.
Aside from the Seaweed, the company is also expanding its dedications towards organic produce and has yet to feel any saturation in this line.
"It is true that overall market conditions had an affect on organic prices but, quantities are even better than they were a year ago," says Ido Yahari of Arava.
Unexpectedly, demand for organic cucumbers really topped the chart and we are confident it will be the same for organic eggplants and potatoes.
During this year's Fruit Logistica Fair in Berlin, the company intends to present existing lines and also include some of the new ones which will include the Seaweed and more.
For more information:
Omer Kamp
Arava Export Growers
[email protected]
www.arv.co.il
