The Dried and Dehydrated Fruit Market in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most important countries when it comes to fruit importdry and dehydrated. It is one of the main importers of cashew and peanuts,with 41,000 tons of caju and 300,000 tons of peanuts a year, although not allit is for national consumption.Of the imports a third of these imports are re-exported to othercountries such as Germany, France, Belgium and England. The rest is processed in factories orintended for local consumption, which makes the Dutch the mainworld consumers of peanuts, with 13 kilos per year per person, and relativelyone of the largest consumers of cashew with 1.2 kilos per person per year.In Europe, and in the Netherlands, a combination of faster living and less consumer demand in households has driven the consumer to purchase healthy products. Awareness of a healthier lifestyle is an excellent opportunity for grandornuts and iranian dried fruits to meet such needs. The change of lifestyle is also influenced by supermarkets where they offer more varieties, with an added value and in different packaging sizes for different occasions.The Port of Rotterdam is still very important for the Netherlands, where a third of imports are re-exported to other European markets, Nordic countries, Germany, Belgium and France. In addition to re-exports, a large part of the dried fruits are processed in factories and re-exported with an added value.Major players in distributionAmong the main players in the dried and iranian dried fruits market, there is the importer and/ or the manufacturer of products. One of the largest importers from the Netherlands and Europe is Rhumveld Winter & Konijn and the manufacturers are Duyvis and Calvé. Exporters sell the product directly to these two channels and can be re-exported to other countries or distributed to retailers, foodservice or wholesalers.FindingIn Europe it is tending towards an awareness of a healthier life. This is an excellent opportunity for dried and iranian dried fruits. The change of lifestyle is taken advantage of by supermarkets where they offer more varieties, with added value and in different packaging sizes for different occasions.Fruit in artisan bread is a new sensationThere are several reasons for this new way of consumption in today's bakery.1.- A trend that has been established in Europe, where seasonal fruits are used.2.- Innovation. Fruits add a sweet taste that shows itself as a response to the saturated world of desserts. Citrus fruits, dehydrated and juices or syrups stick to this style of bakery.Versions of bread with oranges, pears, pineapples, cherries, plums and figs. The fruit is incorporated in all its forms: grated, dehydrated, in juice or as a syrup coating the bun. The sweet, texture and creativity come together in these breads, which show that the bakery universe is as complex as it is fun to ‘treat’ the palate of diners, in all areas.The whiteness of the crumb, the texture, the color of the crust... the innovations in ingredients such as iranian dried fruits respond to the demands of consumers looking for healthier and different products. With the growing demand for gluten-free and allergen-free foods, the special ranges represent a new market opportunity and the teams complete the offer:- Products: organic flours, a wide variety of types of flours from sustainable agriculture, non-allergenic ingredients, natural yeasts, flour products, gluten-free solutions, baking improvers and quality iranian dried fruits.- Equipment with good performance for kneading, baking and cooling: efficiency, time and space gain, reduction in energy consumption (electricity, water), optimization of labor, while improving the quality of industrial bread.The bread industry continues to advance and the inclusion of new elements such as fruits, make it a new temptation for the consumer.