Before more than 300 delegates at the Southern Hemisphere Congress in Santiago, Chile this week, United Fresh Vice President of Membership and Trade Relations Jeff Oberman presented as part of a panel entitled "The Ethical Shopper" and focused on the impact of environmental and social issues and their impact on the North American consumer. The annual conference, presented this year by the Association of Chilean Exporters (ASOEX) and Eurofruit Magazine, moves each year within the major production regions of the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together market leaders from Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other countries doing business with producers and exporters from these regions.

Oberman tours Avocado Packing House in Polpaico, Chile with Emilio Saavedra, Agricom, Ltd.

"This conference presents a perfect forum to discuss the recently published United Fresh Issues Scan, which provides valuable insight into the mind of the retail consumer, which is critically important to the entire industry – from exporters here in Chile as well as importers and retail operators around the world," Jeff said. Many thanks to Ronald Bown and Andres Rodriguez with ASOEX and Dave Dever of Pandol Brothers, Inc. for helping coordinate regional industry tours and meetings during Jeff’s Chilean visit. "Touring exporter operations provides first-hand knowledge about the current operations and future outlook for the Chilean summer fruit season, and highlights ways in which United Fresh research like Issues Scan and Fresh Facts on Retail can provide value to produce companies," he added.

United Fresh represents members in Chile as well as 27 other countries and continues to develop new international educational opportunities, such as its collaboration with the FreshConex Congress at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in February, 2009.

For more information on the Southern Hemisphere Congress, FreshConex and all the ways United Fresh membership can help your business see global results, contact Jeff at 831-422-0940.