The international fruit and vegetable trade is constantly on the move. Despite trade barriers, the rise of local production, and a fluctuating dollar, Freshclusive sees plenty of opportunities to serve markets and supply customers worldwide. "Our volumes are on track with 2024," says Ruud Krul. In addition to its base in Aalsmeer, the company opened its own location in South Africa this year, strengthening exports of South African fruit.
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Strong position in the Middle East
"Our exports to the Middle East have been running very smoothly this year. Thankfully, there's been sufficient air freight capacity available and we've been able to ship a wide range of fruit and vegetables," explains Ruud. "Exports started off strong this season, and that momentum has continued. At first, we were worried that the conflict between Israel and Iran might cause disruptions, but in the end, the impact was minimal."
North America demands flexibility
"Last year, we were heavily involved in exporting Dutch bell peppers to North America. This year, volumes have dropped slightly. Not all airports are open to Dutch peppers, and exchange rates play a role, too. The second Trump presidency initially caused some fluctuations in the dollar, but fortunately, the currency has stabilized somewhat," Ruud says.
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Even though import duties make Dutch produce more expensive, demand in North America always bounces back when shortages arise. "In those situations, they continue flying in Dutch peppers. Traditionally, demand dips in September when the Mexican season kicks off, but we do expect to send Spanish cucumbers into the market again. Canada also remains a reliable buyer of open-field crops such as celeriac and leeks."
Bell pepper export to Japan resumed
"We've also resumed bell pepper exports to Japan. Luckily, air freight prices have stabilized this year. From late July until late September or mid-October, Japan will be supplied with Dutch peppers," says Ruud. He also notes new developments in Asia: "China in particular is investing heavily in high-tech fruit and vegetable production. Domestic volumes are growing, and quality is improving quickly. That means Dutch exporters need to stay competitive with specialties, unique flavors, and innovative packaging."
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New opportunities in Asia and India
"When the Chinese market first opened to Dutch peppers, expectations were sky-high. The export never really grew as much as we hoped, but there are still opportunities in the region. Tomatoes are a bit of a challenge with the rise of high-tech greenhouses, but markets like India, Vietnam, and Thailand still hold promise," Ruud explains. "India is tricky for Dutch vegetables because the market is tightly controlled, but from Freshclusive South Africa, we already ship fruit there. We also see room for products like Peruvian blueberries."
Positive outlook
"The market is always challenging, but that's part of international trade. We're used to adapting, and we see many opportunities to keep supplying customers worldwide. For now, we're optimistic about the year ahead and are looking forward to meeting our customers and suppliers over the coming months at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, Fruit Attraction in Madrid, and IFPA in Anaheim!"
For more information:
Ruud Krul
Freshclusive
Rietwijkeroordweg 4
1432 JE Aalsmeer
[email protected]
www.freshclusive.com
