Going great guns ( Friday 03 August 2007 )

Grapes are big business on the continent and Capespan is rising to the challenge. Procurement director Geoff Green reports.

"Over the last 10 years, Capespan has developed its Chilean grape programme to the extent that the company is now one of the two largest Chilean grape importers on the Continent. About 1,6 million cartons - half being fixed weight punnets - serve most of the major Continental supermarkets. With the success of the Capespan-branded fixed weight punnets, we're looking to grow this business significantly.

"In partnership with Mahindra, approximately 450 000 cartons of Indian grapes will follow, with 95% in fixed weight punnets. This places Capespan as one of the four largest importers from India. Egypt - a source for the past seven years - yields 400 000 cartons and a small consignment from Morocco complements this offering.

"After an August break, Capespan is back in business in September with 200 000 cartons of grapes from Brazil, followed by 160 000 cartons from Peru. And then South African grapes hit the market. Both Brazil and Peru are more difficult markets to develop, because the former is increasingly focused on the lucrative US market, while Peru doesn't yet have the necessary varieties and struggles with long voyage times.

"Outside of our European supplies, China is our biggest supplier of apples. New Zealand has been a bit of a roller-coaster, but is now growing slowly as a source. About 260 000 cartons of Braeburn and Royal Gala are procured from the latter.

"The biggest part of our international procurement drive is working with leading growers, particularly in the emerging and more difficult origins. Our success can be attributed to providing producers with cutting-edge technical know-how. We're no longer simply fruit traders - Capespan has reliability, expertise and consistency as part of its package. In short, we add real value to our end-customers. This is our future."

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