When new products make their entrance to market, it is a great way to re-engage existing with customers as well as attracting new ones. Explore a handful of the CFF’s latest launches from around the world.
A remarkable local brand recently joined the CFF family in UAE. Introducing Pure Harvest, where the focus is on producing fruits and vegetables. How do they achieve food security in an arid climate? They employ controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), a method that is seven times more efficient than typical desert greenhouse farms and 30 times more efficient than traditional field farming. Through CEA, Pure Harvest are able to cultivate fresh and flavourful produce throughout the year, even during the harshest summer months. Embracing indoor vertical farming, they eliminate the challenges posed by climate change and create the perfect environment for optimal growth and flavour. But efficiency is not their only focus. Dedicated to sustainability, Pure Harvest utilizes an advanced on-site water treatment process, allowing 85% of the water they use to be recycled and reused in their food production. Their dedication extends beyond taste and affordability, instead the focus is on a commit to revolutionizing year-round food growth, ensuring the highest standards of taste, health, and safety, all while prioritizing social and environmental responsibility.
CFF UK have launched a range of authentic, premium and artisan Japanese grocery products, from the essentials through to the niche and innovative. Their range of selected healthy and delicious Japanese products are coming directly from expert craftsman with traditional know-how and generations of experience. This range will help their customers discover many Japanese flavours, still quite unknown in Europe. Gill Skelton, Senior Buyer says… “We looked for the best and we found the best – CFF UK is delighted to be working with our new Japanese range supplier who are an importer of high quality authentic Japanese artisanal fine foods and ingredients. Like CFF, our new supplier works in close collaboration with more than 80 producers throughout Japan, going direct to the source for the best ingredients and best craftsmanship. The exciting and varied selection fills gap in the current CFF UK offering for a comprehensive range of Japanese condiments, miso, seaweeds, furikake, mirin, vinegars, dashi, soy, ponzu, sauces, rice, noodles, yuzu, matcha, citrus, panko and culinary sesame products.”
Bret’s potato chips are made of high-quality sunflower oil, without preservatives, artificial colours and no MSG. They are carefully selected as the top potato in the Brittany region of north western France and are still 100% family-owned today. The chips are wavy and sliced, which makes them more flavoursome than regular potato chips and ideal for a quality crisp! Bret’s have gathered all the chip fans in HK and created a social media group to share information like new flavours and discount offers. They also believe that chips are not only a snack but also can serve as a meal. Nowadays, there are many competitors in the market, so why are our chips still outstanding? Bret’s Chips are gaining ground with their natural cooking approach. With innovative flavours and eye-catching packaging, they have attracted more and more chip lovers to try their products. CFF Hong Kong & Macau have arranged thematic promotions in different channels, like the French Fair and European Fair, to build brand awareness. At the same time, they have already received positive feedback from customers, and expect to see a growing demand for Bret’s chips in the near future. Uniquely flavoured crisps have earned them a loyal following among chip fans not just in HK but around the world!
Introducing Hometown full cream fresh milk from Lampung, Indonesia. With the requirements on dairy imports, CFF Indonesia has a very small range of these products; for the Jakarta area they are now partnering with the leader of fresh milk – Greenfields, for hotels and restaurants. Hometown is a great addition to the portfolio for their Bali branch. Full cream milk, nothing added, nothing removed, minimally processed. Super fresh, super creamy and offering outstanding foaming qualities for the barista. The team organized 3 launch and tasting events for food service customers to support.
Bayu Lagimin, Sales Executive Retail says “it is a great addition to our product portfolio as we almost don’t have dairy. We will focus on the shelfing display in the coming weeks, we will organize some tasting in the supermarkets with the brand, promotions will follow soon. Some of our supermarket already promoted it on their Instagram with nice and funny videos. My challenge will be to make sure that the products will be kept at a proper temperature in the chiller display and that FIFO will be managed properly.”
Now part of the portfolio at CFF UAE is UNS, which specialises in seeds. This brand employs the ‘hydroponic method’ to grow their products in water instead of soil, resulting in 80% less water consumption, 90% less land utilization, and an astonishing 95% reduction in shipping fuel compared to long-distance field-grown produce. They champion sustainability without compromising on quality. Committed to local production within the UAE, the brand is on a mission to create a sustainable future by reimagining farming practices and revolutionizing food production. Jocelyn, Fruit & Vegetable Sales Manager, highlights the increasing focus on sustainability in the UAE’s hospitality industry….
“With approximately 90% of food being imported, there is a growing recognition of the environmental impact of long-distance transportation and a shift towards promoting local produce to reduce CO2 emissions. This shift not only supports regional agriculture and food security but also fosters a greener and more eco-friendly future. Restaurants, hotels, and organizations like Pure Harvest and UNS are transforming the UAE’s culinary landscape by not only offering delicious dishes but also demonstrating that sustainability and taste can go hand in hand. By supporting local food production, the hospitality industry is taking proactive steps to reduce its ecological footprint, protect the environment, and ensure a bountiful future for generations to come.”
Roscré is a premium quality grass-fed, sea-salt aged beef from Ireland. Through experience and knowledge, the company utilize a unique salt ageing process using handpicked seaweed and wild Atlantic salt – bringing the Irish sea to the Irish land, creating rich and unparalleled flavours.
The United Kingdom has some of the best fresh produce in the world. Since the beginning of the year Classic Harvest has secured a steady and consistent supply from some of the best growers in the country. January saw forced rhubarb coming from E. Oldroyd & Sons. Janet Oldroyd is considered to be the best grower of rhubarb in Yorkshire. In Spring, Classic Harvest once again opted for supply from Chris Chinn at Cobrey Farms. The well established ‘Wye Valley Produce’ brand extends the forced rhubarb season until mid-June with their very clever way of farming. Supply of green, white and purple asparagus from the farm has proved to be a firm favourite with chefs with an offering of 4 different grades in green, Classic Harvest leading the way once again. June see’s the start of UK blueberries. The national Sales Team recently visited the farm for the day to see and learn about everything they have to offer. It was a day to remember! Another new addition in spring was the onboarding of Richardson’s Jersey Royal potatoes directly from the island of Jersey. This truly is a special product grown with love and picked by hand. Dave Richardson has accommodated CFF UK by giving them three grades in a beautifully presented 1kg bag. The UK foresees big things with this brand in the future.
With their rich tomato sauce, Duchef Baked Beans are comparable to the global brands. They can be used for a simple English breakfast or incorporated into a number of other dishes. Molly, Da Nang Sale Manager says “As an English person in Vietnam, I was thrilled to discover DuChef’s new product: baked beans. A breakfast staple back home, they are sure to make a splash in our buffet spreads. What sets DuChef’s beans apart is their mild tomato flavour, allowing for endless customization with chili flakes for a fiery kick or cheese for creamy indulgence. With beans tailored for the Asian market based on their success in Thailand, the potential for this product to thrive is undeniable.”