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Argentina puts right foot forward
Argentina
Wednesday 21 November 2007
National stonefruit suppliers like Güizzo Frutas Frescas are waking up to new taste trends with the development of new and earlier-producing cherry and plum varieties.
Across the globe, tastes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, meaning suppliers must continually strive to meet new consumer demands and trends. So says, Fernando Güizzo Gíudice of Argentine stonefruit exporter Güizzo Frutas Frescas who, since last year, has begun to adapt his company's cherry and plum business in line with these new requirements.
Overall, the Argentine stonefruit sector is continuing to make strides towards this end. The cherry industry in particular has shown a significant shift over the last five years; completely overhauling production in a number of growing areas with the introduction of earlier and more consumer-favourable varieties combined with modern production systems.
Güizzo has started to concentrate on producing varieties of cherries and plums which better suit current market trends. In the cherry category, the firm is focusing on Royal Dawn, Brooks, Santina and Stella, and for plums the main varieties being planted are Saphire and Black Diamond. Of course, Mr Güizzo is quick to point out that both Bing and Lapins cherries and Larry Anne and Angeleno plums still remain important commercial varieties, and will continue to be produced alongside the newer cultivars.
Güizzo ships 60 per cent of its crop to the UK and ranks as one of the major stonefruit suppliers to UK retail. Indeed, since Eurofruit Magazine last spoke with Güizzo, the firm has also obtained Tesco´s Nature´s Choice standard for both its cherry and plum businesses. According to Mr Güizzo, this significant achievement, combined with top-quality fruit, should help further penetration in the UK this season.
In 2007/08, Güizzo estimates it will market 2,000 tons of cherries and plums, which is 7 per cent more than last season following an expansion of planted area, especially for plums. Exports will be directed mainly to Europe (despite expectations of greater competition this year) and newly-developing market Asia.
Across the globe, tastes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, meaning suppliers must continually strive to meet new consumer demands and trends. So says, Fernando Güizzo Gíudice of Argentine stonefruit exporter Güizzo Frutas Frescas who, since last year, has begun to adapt his company's cherry and plum business in line with these new requirements.
Overall, the Argentine stonefruit sector is continuing to make strides towards this end. The cherry industry in particular has shown a significant shift over the last five years; completely overhauling production in a number of growing areas with the introduction of earlier and more consumer-favourable varieties combined with modern production systems.
Güizzo has started to concentrate on producing varieties of cherries and plums which better suit current market trends. In the cherry category, the firm is focusing on Royal Dawn, Brooks, Santina and Stella, and for plums the main varieties being planted are Saphire and Black Diamond. Of course, Mr Güizzo is quick to point out that both Bing and Lapins cherries and Larry Anne and Angeleno plums still remain important commercial varieties, and will continue to be produced alongside the newer cultivars.
Güizzo ships 60 per cent of its crop to the UK and ranks as one of the major stonefruit suppliers to UK retail. Indeed, since Eurofruit Magazine last spoke with Güizzo, the firm has also obtained Tesco´s Nature´s Choice standard for both its cherry and plum businesses. According to Mr Güizzo, this significant achievement, combined with top-quality fruit, should help further penetration in the UK this season.
In 2007/08, Güizzo estimates it will market 2,000 tons of cherries and plums, which is 7 per cent more than last season following an expansion of planted area, especially for plums. Exports will be directed mainly to Europe (despite expectations of greater competition this year) and newly-developing market Asia.
