"Next year we will take an even bigger approach."
The last lemons from Argentina are on their way to Rotterdam. Currently, the fruit is still at sea. The transport was arranged by Neele-Vat Logistics, a logistics service provider from Rotterdam. It is the first time the company has ventured into fruit transport and it tastes like more.
"Before we could focus on this new sector, quite a few investments were needed," says Priscilla van der Sluijs, Business Development Manager at Neele-Vat Logistics. With her years of experience in reefer containers and knowledge of the AGF sector, she was the right person to take on this project. "A fun challenge," according to Priscilla. Neele-Vat Logistics has long experience in transporting perishables. For example, the company has been in the business of exporting fruits and vegetables from the Netherlands for some time.
Investments
First, there were the various formalities at official agencies such as customs and KCB. "To import fruit, you have to comply with certain certificates, location codes, etc. in short, a whole mountain of paperwork. In addition, our storage warehouses must always be accessible for any inspections by these agencies. We have invested in additional personnel to handle customs clearance in the Netherlands and our own customs handling in the port. In addition to personnel, the existing premises and the necessary paperwork. We do not shy away from investing in our new customers, their wishes can be realized by us."
Rigging up the necessary documents and facilities is one thing, but you also need customers. "In my job, it's important to go to trade shows, for example, and show your face everywhere," Priscilla says. "Via-via we came into contact with customers for whom we now arrange transport. These are large quantities of hundreds of containers. This year, with regard to citrus imports from Argentina, we processed about 200 to 250 containers."
Service
AGF does sometimes require a different approach in logistics. "Not only speed is important but also the quality of the products. Every operation can sometimes damage that quality and we have to handle that with policy. For the rest, we from Neele-Vat Logistics may offer insurance on the reefer containers, traceability and storage in our warehouse. So it is possible for customers to import in full containers and have this delivered per box to his or her customer throughout Europe. For the future, we may also want to offer packing and packaging to our customers."
..and beyond
In the next season, Neele-Vat Logistics plans to continue its services in the AGF sector. "For next year, we are taking an even bigger approach," says Priscilla. "In addition to citrus, we want to add blueberries and nuts. We are also setting up a reefer consolidation service in Cyprus and the Middle East for AGF, this is unique in the sector."
source: www.agf.nl
Author: Thom Dobbelaar