Live from Macfrut: American retail chains are pushing for more sustainibility

Met on fructidor.com stand, Jeff Oberman, vice-president of United Fresh has been presenting his opinions on market trends in USA.

United Fresh is an American association representing the entire chain: growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, retail, food service ... with not less than 1.500 members in 30 countries.

Present at Macfrut, Cesena, Jeff Oberman, vice-President of the association explains:

" In Europe, most of our members are fresh-cut processors and expanding in fresh convenience. This can be a new packaging, a new development : snack pack, vending machines, anything that bring an added value to fresh produce industry. This segment has been identified as a growing market."

In regards to the market trends in USA, Jeff testimonies:

 " First, Labour force is not a problem anymore. In "favour" of the crisis, producers are not struggling anymore to find labour force,

Sales are getting better nowadays ; we have seen a real challenge in high-end products during the last months, now we see a new trend in locally-grown products, as it happens for few months already in UK."

"Another growing trend is also: sustainibility, carbon footprint is becoming of permanent attention  now in USA. We have been late in this trend in comparison with Europe, but our market is changing rapidly now. Retail is pushing for more sustainable products."

 times are changing...