EURO-ATLANTIC has
imported and distributed fruit
and vegetables in Malaysia for almost ten years.
Operating out of Kuala Lumpur, the company imports a number of fresh
produce items such as strawberries, cantaloupe melons, avocados and
stonefruit (peaches and nectarines) from a wide variety of sources
including the US, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Europe.
The company attributes part of its success to its own handling and
distribution network. It operates a modern, coldroom storage facility
and refrigerated trucks run a delivery route, operating up to six
days a week.
In addition, Euro-Atlantic agents are
strategically located in the key markets centres throughout Malaysia,
in Penang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
"We are very fortunate to have quick access to one of the most
advanced airport and cargo handlers around," said Ebby
Loo, Managing Director of Euro-Atlantic.
"The computerised clearing facilities at the KuaIa Lumpur international
airport allow our fruit and vegetables to be cleared immediately after
they arrive."
Its customers include the hotel industry and MAS Catering, a subsidiary
of Malaysia Airlines, which supplies to all the major airlines passing
through the country.
MAS Catering uses a wide range of fruit imports including strawberries,
rockmelon, grapes, apples and citrus items. "Demand will continue
to increase for imported fruit due to the increasing number of flights
flying through Kuala Lumpur," said F.n Zulkiflee bin Mohd Edris
from MAS.
Alice Foo, director of purchasing for the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala
Lumpur agreed. "There will always be great demand for specialty
fruits due to quality and choices demanded by hotel guests."
Euro-Atlantic also prides itself on
the strict handling of fresh produce
on its premises. Its range of fruits and vegetables are continually
tested for acceptable levels of pesticides and herbicides.
Euro-Atiantic claims that it has experienced
a continuous increase in demand even during economic volatility in
the region which affected most companies. "This is perhaps due
to the fact that the Malaysian economy was one of the strongest in
Asia over the last decade," Ms Loo explained. The company has
recently ventured into importing organically certified produce. ".Malaysians
today are more health conscious and are aware of the benefits of organically
grown vegetables," noted Ms Loo. In response to demand, Euro-Aflantic
has initiated negotiations with exporters in Australia and the US.
However, it is keen to source from other suppliers. "We will
still continue to identify other sources in order to get the very
best out our of the market," Ms Loo noted.
Expansion remains a key priority for Euro-Atlantic.
The company plans ro set up its own direct distribution warehouse
next year, in order to service the hospitality industry in the northern
region of Malaysia. The company has additionally begun talks for possible
mergers with companies in similar businesses.
"Such focus will see the company welt positioned in the new millennium
because there will always be a need for specialty fresh produce,"
Ms Loo claimed.
DEMAND for traditional fruit imports such
as oranges, apples and pears in Malaysia dipped 1 per cent in
the second quarter of 1999, said David Tay, president of the
Kuala Lumpur Fruit Wholesalers Association.
The association blamed sluggish demand on the abundant supply
of tropical fruit such as lychees and longan from China and
Thailand.
"As the longan season ends in late August, the market for
apples and oranges may pick up thereafter." Mr Tay noted.
He is optimistic about increased demand for the remainder of
the year. "We expect to see a general increase in demand
for all types of basic fruit in the fourth quarter of 1999 and
the first year of 2000 as the economy recovers from the worst
recession Malaysia has ever experienced," Mr Tay explained. |
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