The Netherlands
August 28, 2018
Convenience trend in breeding
Asia’s fresh convenience market has big growth potential. How does Enza Zaden attune their products to the convenience trend? Chris Groot, our Produce Chain manager, and Anne Marie Schoevaars, our post-harvest researcher from the Netherlands, are one of the speakers at the Asiafruit Congress. They will both highlight the convenience trend in breeding from their knowledge, experience and point of view.
As Product Chain Manager, Chris Groot is always in contact with chain partners to discuss how to introduce product innovations into the international fresh produce chain, from grower to retailer. “At Enza Zaden, we have a close watch on trends and developments in the market and our breeding activities are always attuned to that. Naturally, tailored to the wishes of the chain partners,” says Chris. Today, post-harvest research contributes to help customers and chain partners to serve and please their customers even better.
Actual data to improve our products
As post-harvest researcher, Anne Marie is continuously working on collecting data. Anne Marie: “Post-harvest research literally means ‘research after harvesting’. So this means, we analyse and test the full grown product. This data gives us good insights in the characteristics of our products. We use this information for the positioning and improvement of our varieties. It also helps customers to choose the right variety for their market. With the information we get from post-harvest research we can even better attune our products to the end-consumers needs.”
Convenience trend
As it is for Chris, following trends is also very important for a post-harvest researcher, because these trends tell you what consumers are looking for. “Convenience is one of these trends. Consumers are more and more looking for an easy and convenient way of eating healthy. Think about ready to eat salads and mini-vegetables in the supermarkets. Or, for example, on-the-go products that you can eat without using a napkin.” Products used for these convenience trend need specific characteristics. “We select our products on fresh-cut quality: no discoloration and no leaking. And our mini-vegetables are selected on shelf-life, texture and taste,” explains Anne Marie.
Asia Fruit Logistica
Chris will also be present at our booth at the Asia Fruit Logistica. So please visit us at booth 5-T27 and ask him anything you would like to know about (convenience) trends, concepts and innovations.
At our booth you can see, feel and taste a wide range of conventional and organic vegetable varieties. Our international team is happy to welcome you.
Topics
Species
