Page 34 - Sept 2017 Food Business

32 FRUITS

BLUE WHALE THE

FIRST FRENCH

FRUIT EXPORTER

eading French apple grower-shipper Blue
Whale has its sights firmly set on Middle
L East where sales development of its newer
varieties is concerned.
Today, Blue Whale company, with its
headquarter in Montauban ranks as the country's
leading apple exporter with 300 growers and
BLUE WHALE STARTED 5,000 ha of orchards throughout the best fruit
TO EXPORT IN MIDDLE areas of France.
EAST IN 1969. IT IS Blue Whale started to export in Middle East in
ONE OF THE FIRST 1969. It is one of the first player who brought the
PLAYER WHO Royal Gala apple variety in the 90's in a
BROUGHT THE ROYAL traditional market where it was only sold Golden clones. New apple varieties has been launched since
®
and Red apples. Such a bet at this period when the last season such as NovaBlue and Liliblue .
®
GALA APPLE VARIETY we know that now it is the most appreciated Novablue offers excellent pack out percentages
®
IN THE 90'S IN A apple variety in the area! Now Blue Whale is with a high percentage of fruit making the premium
TRADITIONAL MARKET present in many countries: U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, packs and its distinct exceptional red to purple color
WHERE IT WAS ONLY Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Iran. meets the changing needs of the market. The flesh is
SOLD GOLDEN AND Looking ahead, Blue Whale aims to make its juicy and crispy giving a tasty sweet flavor. The
®
RED APPLES brand more popular among all the consumers and exclusive brand Novablue will be launched in
establishes it as a synonym for quality and flavor. October.
Therefore innovation is a key part for Blue Whale in In addition, Blue Whale counts in it range of
order to bring to the consumers a better tasting apple variety: Ariane , Joya and Pink Lady ®
®
®
experience. Since 5 years, Blue Whale has apples. Throughout the season Blue Whale will be
consistently developed its offer thanks to orchard promoting all its varieties setting up sampling
improvements and the insertion of new varieties of activities in stores and during special events such
as “Apéritif à la Française” in November and the
WOP in Dubai in December.
Blue Whale is also widening its range of
organic apples as demand for organic produce
increases across the world. On January 2017, the
General Assembly of the “Organic Fruit Growers
from our countryside" was held in Montauban.
Nearly 70 growers and organic stakeholders
were present. The company's extended organic
range will mainly include varieties bred
specifically for organic production rather than
converting ones originally intended for
conventional growing. The focus with Blue
Whale's new varieties will be on good eating
quality rather than product appearance.

More information on Blue Whale website:
http://www.blue-whale.com/en

FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST SEPTEMBER 2017