1200 meetings at Fresh Market: producers, distributors of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers as well as retail chains

The Fresh Market Conference, which was held in Poland for the 12th time this year, although does not match the scale of the world’s largest events in the industry, it is the only one organized in the formula of a trade center. Its primary objective is to provide producers and suppliers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers, as well as companies providing services to agriculture, with an opportunity to hold individual business talks with buyers from retail chains.

This goal was successfully achieved during this year’s edition of Fresh Market. During the conference held on October 3rd in Ożarów Mazowiecki, that is during one day and in one place, producers and suppliers from Poland and abroad held over 1200 meetings with the representatives of 20 national, regional and international retail chains managing a total of 15,166 stores. Suppliers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers, by presenting their offer face to face to retail chains, gained a unique opportunity to establish business relations. These can result in profitable contracts and strengthen their position in the Polish and international trade of fresh produce. This year’s conference was attended by Polish chains: ARCHELAN, CARREFOUR, DINO, FRAC, MAKRO, NASZ SKLEP, PGS, PIOTR i PAWEŁ, STOKROTKA, ŻABKA. The conference was also attended by: Czech BILLA, Lithuanian MAXIMA, Moldovan LINELLA, Ukrainian chains TAVRIA-V and VARUS, as well as Belarusian ALMI, EVROOPT, GIPPO, SANTA, SPAR, and ALC. Especially meetings with chains from Ukraine and Belarus are a chance for companies to appear on dynamically developing markets.

Fresh Market is also a review of innovative technological, production and marketing solutions and consumer trends in global business. The conference participants could learn about modern packaging solutions for the food industry, and their producers could present their offer at company stands. Organization of the exhibition space allowed for formal and informal meetings of the representatives of fruit, vegetable, flower, seed producers and service companies, including those specializing in import and export, and thus for the exchange of information, views and opinions, as well as gaining valuable contacts.

During the conference, as every year, there were lectures and panel discussions on the situation on the Polish and global vegetable and fruit market, as well as challenges and forecasts for the next season. They were attended by representatives of the largest associations in Poland representing various market segments. The national panel was attended by: Janusz Byliński (President of the Warsaw Agricultural and Food Wholesale Market Bronisze), Mirosław Łuska (President of the Association of Pepper Producers of the Republic of Poland), Mirosław Maliszewski (President of the Polish Fruit Growers Association), Wojciech Nowacki (President of the Polish Potato Association), Witold Boguta (President of the National Union of Producers of Fruits and Vegetables). The panelists discussed the challenges facing the industry, including climate change, intensifying competition, and the relationship between producers, retail chains, and processors. The participants of the panel on foreign market, Arkadiusz Gaik (President of the “Unia Owocowa” Association), Janusz Andziak (Strawberry Growers Association), Ireneusz Komorowski (Blueberry Growers Association), Marek Słowiński (editor of fresh-market.pl portal) focused on the perspectives of Polish fruit and vegetable export, especially in the context of the prolonged trade war with Russia and the necessity to find new markets for Polish products.

During the conference, the winner of the “Fresh Market Award 2019”, promoting the most innovative products and services in the current year, was also ceremoniously announced. This title at the 12th edition of Fresh Market was won by HAZERA POLAND for the premium raspberry tomato ROSAMUNDA with an exceptional taste in the coeur du boeuf type, recommended for commodity production in greenhouse conditions. The advantage of this variety is an excellent taste reminiscent of tomatoes “from the old days”, unique shape, intense gloss and deep ribbing.

Immediately afterwards the Cocktail Dinner Party began, where participants, in an informal atmosphere, accompanied by the sound of a piano and enjoying great food, continued business talks and established contacts in the industry. The organizers tried to create the best possible conditions for the participants to focus solely on the business purpose. All guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet as well as hot and cold drinks. They were also invited for lunch. During the entire conference they could count on the support of Matchmaker, who helped to reach people representing a particular company and arrange a meeting.