10
FRUIT LOGISTICA
Showcasing concepts Green Mushroom Farm was present in Berlin with an attractive stand, a chef and a showcase full of concepts. The market-oriented approach has resulted in strong growth; from 20 tons/year imported 10 years ago to the current 1.5 million tons. According to Sami Bahtiri, sales manager at the company based in De Lier, exotic mushrooms have become a firm fixture on supermarket shelves in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, France and Belgium, but the Netherlands lags behind. New at Green Mushroom Farm is enoki from South Korea. The company has produced a stir-fry mix of enoki and erungii for Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize. “In its appealing packaging, it just flies off the shelves”, says Bahtiri.
Sami Bahtiri with the Green Mushroom Farm wok mix with enoki and erengyii.
Rob Banken with the new trufflee packaging (left) and a duo-pack with ragout portobellos.
Banken thought that the truffle deserved a more suitably stylish packaging, and developed a chic carton to hold a single truffle that matches the high-class image of the product. For its organic mushrooms, Ban- ken has developed a new, recyclable plastic packaging made from corn. “The packaging is 100% organic and biodegradable and can be disposed of with the vegeta- ble waste”, says Rob Banken. The new cardboard pun- nets from Banken, on the other hand, can be recycled in the cardboard waste flow. “We want to give super- markets an alternative for the traditional blue punnets by offering these new, recyclable containers. The cardboard is coated on the inside to make it moisture resistant and graphics can be printed on the outside to attract and communicate with consumers. Informing them, for example, about the low calorie content of mushrooms”, continues Banken. The fourth novel product at Banken is the duo-pack of portobello mushrooms stuffed with a ragout in various flavours such as lemon grass and coriander. “Our new products are attracting some amazing responses. Supermarkets are keen to include them in their range. And discounters too, for the seasonal Christmas range. Service supermarkets are more interested in year-round supplies. They want to continue adding distinc- tive value”, comments Banken.
Mad about dumplings German supplier Niklas is working hard on adding va- lue as well. The company, that specialises in processing and packaging mushrooms, presented a new display for dried mushrooms, plastic pots with mushrooms mixes with ingredients such as risotto and an Asian mix and freshly packaged meals for two featuring mushrooms and other ingredients like dumplings. “Germans are just mad about dumplings”, explains a representative of Niklas. Niklas was the only German mushroom company in Berlin. But that was still one more than the Irish sector. Irish growers were represented at Fruit Logistica by the Irish Food Board. However, the Irish Food Board was chiefly concerned with promoting potatoes. Last year’s bumper harvest resulted in a surplus, so Berlin was used as a chance to find some more sales channels. With a turnover of 80 million euro per annum, potatoes rank as the second largest horticultural product. Taking top spot are …mushrooms with an annual turnover of 100 million euro. According to Michael Neary, horti- culture manager at the Food Board, Irish mushroom growers already have a good market in the UK, which is targeted by promotional campaigns partly funded by the EU and partly by British growers. The latest cam- paign will run until 2016. “We expect the UK market to keep on growing, so that Irish growers will have a good market for their mushrooms in the coming years. This reduces the necessity for them to actually be here in Berlin, but that could change.” says Neary.
Niklas meals for two featuring mushrooms and dumplings.
Sustainable packaging In tandem with organic and convenience, sustainability is also a key theme for the entire fruit and vegetable sector. That was evident in Berlin, where packaging suppliers are cleverly responding to the trend and creating opportunities for more expensive packaging materials. One of these companies is the Irish Holfeld Plastics, last year’s winner of the Irish Repak Award with their sustainable packaging design. The company makes packaging from RPET, sourced from PET bottles, which means their containers are made from 85% post consumer recyclate. “These punnets are not suitable for growers whose main priority is low cost”, warns sales manager Bryan Ford. “They are more expensive than traditional polypropylene (PP) products, but they do allow growers to show their commitment to sustainable production.” The company has special punnets for mushrooms with a base that keeps any moisture from coming into contact with the produce. AVI Global Plast from India also displayed RPET pun-
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