Almost all salons have been cancelled. As a result, Central American corporations are much less likely to enter the European market. The Import Promotion Centre in Europe has created a portal where importers can recently be taken to six of these exporters through a virtual tour.
The CBI established this allocation for fruit exporters in Central America, European importers can meet these corporations on a virtual platform, the products come not only with Costa Rican sweet potato and cassava, Guatemalan mangoes and Pana papayas, and honduran okra and Nicaraguan pitaya.
Piet Schotel is involved in the project. He works from the Netherlands to help those corporations on their way. “Relatively new players in the European market will have to be able to provide themselves. This is done regularly at industry fairs, through industry missions, etc. , as this is not imaginable at the moment, they will have to attract the attention of potential consumers in other ways. “
Salons have been offering virtual alternatives lately. But it doesn’t help those exporters,” Schotel says. “It is imperative to be able to provide yourself. After all, a stranger means not to be loved. In our industry, virtual lounges are not a genuine alternative. This would possibly be the caso. si physical salons are no longer possible. But in general, importers do not actively search for contacts on virtual platforms. At industry fairs, importers, not just visitors, are regularly a target organization for these Central American companies. “
Of course, cancelled or now virtual occasions are not the only challenge for those traders. For example, according to Schotel, it is more complicated for staff shortages. This is due to illness and logistical problems. ” As in the rest of the world, Central America, corporations face a variety of demanding situations similar to the Covid-19 pandemic. The corporations we announced in this cycle have maintained smart sales. “
“But there are many personnel problems. It is more difficult for them to get to the cadres or they are sick. It is more difficult to get the export documents in order. And it is seldom difficult to locate enough personnel due to the closure of the borders. ” . Prevents staff from painting, in other countries. The corporations themselves do everything imaginable to paint safely and hygienically. “
Piet believes that the European market is very interested in Central American products. This region has reveled in exporting to North America, so it is accustomed to the highest quality standards. “Central America, in general, and ‘our companies’ in particular, are of interest to European importers. It is for safe products, such as handles, production windows. The quality to which these countries are used to delivering is also a plus. we really enjoy exporting to the United States and Canada. “
“These corporations are therefore accustomed to superior quality requirements. In Europe, there are also food protection requirements. But those corporations are rated GlobalGAP anyway. Social compliance is now of wonderful importance. CBI focuses a lot on this through the creation of CSR and GRASP training. ” And there are enough connections, both maritime and air, even in those times. They are short and well organized. This allows newcomers. “
Not all Central American corporations are qualified to participate in this project. Schotel explains that there were still needs to ensure the quality of visitors to virtual tours. They focus on six of them. Certification of those corporations will have to be in order. They will have to be in a position for the European market in all respects They will also have to have English-speaking employees. The coming months are the best time for importers to contact importers for deliveries in early 2021. “
“A fellow consultant, Arno van der Maden, from Costa Rica and I consult corporations for the CBI. We advise program participants. We are happy to help you make contacts and provide them with more information. This B2B occasion online is a component of the CBI. . The Connecting Central America initiative. It is helping the most competitive medium-sized companies in the European market. It is co-financed throughout the European Union and coordinated through SEICA,” Piet concludes.
Click to view the click booklet to tap one of the Central American companies.
For information: Piet SchotelFruit Consultancy Europe Mob: 31 (0) 653381897 Email: piet@fruitconsultancy. nl Website: www. fruitconsultancyeurope. nl
Arno van der Maden Email: arno@nsdeltropico. com: 506884 74746
Nicky BuizerCBITel: 31 (0) 629196954 Email: nbuizer@cbi. eu
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