The Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE) has sworn in a new president during Fruit Logistica in Berlin, with Alan Pollard taking over the role from Sergio del Castillo of ProCitrus in Peru.

Alan Pollard

The group comprises fruit industry representatives from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay, with the purpose of sharing information on crop forecasts, promoting free trade and access agreements, and undertaking market analysis as well as other initiatives.

Pollard, who is also chief executive at Pipfruit New Zealand, told Fresh Fruit Portal it was an honor to be given the new position.

"It's a position that is shared by rotation so we all have a turn, but SHAFFE is also going through some rethinking about the value proposition for all Southern Hemisphere members and I think the future is exciting," he said.

"I think I’ll be guided by the secretariat. We’re looking at putting a more formal strategy together for the organization and that may well involve some change in how the president interfaces with the secretariat and the membership."

He said the mood was positive amongst Southern Hemisphere fruit industry players during the trade fair, which achieved visitor numbers of more than 75,000 this year.

"I think there’s a bit of positivity still which is good but as you know exporters are cautiously optimistic at best," he said.

"There are a number of challenges and there’s a lot of talk about some of the protectionist things that are now coming in through Europe and Brexit, and with what might happen in America.

"Collectively we can achieve more than individually. It’s a very good organization, we get along well together, we’ve got common interests in a pretty competitive space and we work pretty well together."

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