KOELNMESSE MANAGER LEFT HIS POST
Köln, Germany. After 23 years of working for KoelnMesse, the organisational body for fairs like Anuga, General Manager Wolfgang Kranz (49) left his post. He and Gerald Böse, Chairman of the Board, told the press that the reasons for this move, which came as a real surprise, were different views about the future strategy of the company. Kranz joined the management in 2001 and was named general manager in 2003 with special responsibility for fairs in the areas of lifestyle, textiles, technology, environment and food. Böse takes over the tasks of the management with immediate effect.

AgroPress News Service, November 2008

RUSSIA IMPOSES FURTHER IMPORT BARRIERS
Brussels, Belgium/Moscow, Russia. The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) will require as of November  1, 2008, safety certificates for several products originating in the EU. This takes place at the moment when Russia and the EU agreed to hold technical discussions on Maximum Residue Level (MRL) to be aligned with international standards. This decision is also contradictory to the outcome of bilateral discussions held by Russia with the authorities of several member states. A safety certificate will be required as of 1st November for the following products and origins: Greece  for kiwifruits, peaches, lemons, oranges and mandarins, Spain  regarding carrots, mandarins, grapefruits, salads and oranges, imports from the Netherlands (tomatoes, apples, carrots, red beets and cabbages), from Hungary sweet cherries, cherries, strawberries, cabbages and tomatoes as well as from Italy for peaches, nectarines, melons and grapes . This measure is putting in jeopardy the exports of EU quality produce which today amount to 1.3 million t. Freshfel, the European Fresh Produce Association, representing importers, exporters, wholesalers and distributors, and retailers of fresh fruits and vegetables in Europe, first of all criticises the short term of implementation of the measures.

AgroPress News Service, November 2008

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE CITRUS PRODUCTION DOWN, IMPORTS UP
Brussels, Belgium. Citrus production in the Northern Hemisphere countries has reached 21.4 million t, down by 2% compared to last year. Spain is expecting a 23% increase of its citrus production to reach 6.5 million t, while Morocco is predicting a 10% increase. Turkey and Israel remain on the same levels as last year. The production in Italy, Cyprus and Egypt is decreasing. Citrus production in the USA is also expected to decrease by 16% due to smaller orange production (29% decrease), as well as grapefruit (decreasing by 12%). Total US production should be just above 4 million t. Exports from the Southern Hemisphere this season amounted to 1.16 million t, which represents an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. These figures  were released by Freshfel Europe, Brussels, the European Fresh Produce Association. Currently  Freshfel has 200 members, comprising companies and associations.

AgroPress News Service, October 2008

THE THURSDAY MORNING BANANA ROUND TABLE
Brussels, Belgium. "Not acceptable", said EU Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes and penalised big banana importers, because they "coordinated" prices illegally according to the EU Commission. In total big importers have to pay €60.3 m because they  have been negotiating a fixed price each Thursday for the following  week for at least three years, from 2000 to 2002. This is against EU law. The big three banana companies are liable to that penalty with one exception: Chiquita, market leader for years, was the first to inform the Commission about these matters. Consequently they are not to bear the charge. During 2002 alone, in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria and Sweden  banana sales were worth €2.5 bn. As of 2005 offices of banana and pineapple importers have been searched by the European Competition Authority.

AgroPress News Service, October 2008

FUTURE GLOBAL GROWTH
Issaquah, Washington, USA.  Vanguard’s founders and owners, Craig Stauffer and Guy Kisling,  have restructured Vanguard’s senior management team. Tim Clarke, promoted to be Vice President, Global Sales & Logistics, has been with the company for 14 years and has been responsible for many of the company’s sales and procurement programs. Will Mehrten has rejoined the company to oversee global procurement and business development. Rounding out Vanguard’s senior management team is Keri Falkner. Falkner, who came to Vanguard from Deloitte & Touche, oversees all of the financial accounting and operations activities globally. Vanguard supplies a full range of  apples and pears, citrus, grapes, stone fruit, mangoes, and kiwifruit.