eBUSINESS FRUIT FOCUS NORDIC COUNTRIES

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, through Prodeca, is organising eBusiness Fruit Focus Nordic Countries, an event for Catalan fruit producers.

In the current pandemic context and given international travel restrictions, Prodeca is proposing new commercial promotion strategies by organising online business meetings with support and guidance, in order to present the products and potential of the Catalan fruit sector to importers, distributors and large-retail buyers in the destination agri-food markets. In this activity Prodeca offers a comprehensive service, providing support in presenting the product, selecting suitable buyers and accompanying companies during and after the meetings, through experts specialising in the destination market who facilitate communication to optimise results.

To facilitate these meetings, Prodeca provides Catalan companies and Nordic importers with its own digital tool for presenting products and holding online meetings.

THE NORDIC MARKET

Scandinavia's environmental and climatic conditions greatly limit crop productivity, making imports hugely important in the sector.

For fruit, the region's import history shows a general upward trend, although the five years from 2016 to 2020 show some fluctuation.

Specifically, Scandinavian countries' international fruit purchases centre on citrus, strawberries, raspberries, dates, figs, pineapples, apples, pears and bananas — together accounting for more than 60% of all imported fruit, according to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Among all the region's supplier markets, Spain is in second place, behind only the Netherlands, with a market share of 17% in 2020 (411,473 euros).

ORGANISATION OF THE B2B MEETINGS

Participating Catalan companies will have a schedule of at least 2 one-to-one meetings with importers/distributors in the destination market interested in their products.

The meetings will be held during the second half of September (meeting dates will be agreed between the two parties).

Prodeca will provide companies with a platform for holding the meetings, although the platform used may vary depending on the buyer's preferences. Prodeca will give sufficient notice of the platform each buyer will use. Minutes before the meeting a connection test will be run between the Catalan company and the consultant to check everything works.

Meetings will last around 30 minutes.

If the participating company does not attend the meeting with the buyer, Prodeca does not undertake to arrange a new date. If it is the buyer who is unavailable, a second date will be proposed to ensure the meeting takes place.

The meetings will be held mainly in English. Even so, a consultant will be present online during the meetings and can assist the buyer if needed.

Participating companies are advised to provide Prodeca with their promotional materials and product catalogue translated into English so they can be shown to buyers.

If the company requires product samples, sample transport is at the participating company's expense. However, PRODECA will help coordinate transport so it reaches the buyer.

Each company will have:

• Market information
• Visibility of the company's catalogue to all participating buyers
• Support in coordinating sample transport (if required)
• A schedule of two meetings pre-selected according to buyers' interest 
• The possibility of scheduling extra meetings depending on buyers' interest
• Support during the meeting from a consultant contracted by Prodeca
• Support with post-meeting communication with the buyer to ensure smooth negotiations (in no case to guarantee their success)

WHO IT IS AIMED AT

Participation is open to Catalan fruit producers based in Catalonia

COST OF PARTICIPATION

• The participation cost per company is €295 (+ VAT) (minimum two meetings + support during the meetings + follow-up support + help coordinating sample shipping).

If a company ends up with any extra meeting, there is no additional charge

APPLICATION AND PAYMENT DEADLINE

Companies interested in the activity must complete the registration form and make the corresponding payment before 31 May

The organisers reserve the right to select companies on the basis of sector fit and the product's suitability for the destination market. 

There are 12 places. If registrations exceed the places available, the order of arrival of applications and corresponding payments will apply.

A company will be considered admitted once it has sent the duly completed participation application and paid the participation fee.

Once admitted, if the company withdraws it will forfeit 100% of the amount paid. Prodeca reserves the right to assess the reasons given by the company for cancelling its participation and to refund a percentage of the amount paid.

Once registered, participating companies will receive a form requesting all the information needed about the product and a description of the company.

PLANNED TIMETABLE

This timetable is indicative. Prodeca will indicate the steps to follow at each stage.

• 25 to 31 May: registration
• 31 May: confirmation of participating companies
• 1 to 4 June: sending the documentation required by Prodeca
• 1 to 3 September: confirmation of schedules and sending of samples (optional)
• From 15 September: meetings with buyers