Proceedings VII World Avocado Congress 2011 (Actas VII Congreso Mundial del Aguacate 2011). Cairns, Australia. 5 – 9 September 2011
AMAP
Avocado Marketing and Promotion Working group
(former name: AMAPWG)
Unique model of global co-operation
Presented by: Gabi Naamani Agrexco Tel-Aviv, Israel
Sept. 2011, Cairns, Australia
AMAP – Unique model of global co-operation
Gabi Naamani, Agrexco Tel-Aviv
AMAP (former named AMAPWG) – Avocado Marketing and Promotion Working Group - is voluntary organization of Avocado producers and exporters from numerous countries that identified “Mutual interests in developing the Avocado consumption”. The main goal is to develop and extend the Avocado consumption in Europe, along with inspection on domestic markets of the members (plus other markets as well), where applications from one field can be learnt and applied in other. AMAP is a unique model with special inspiration: “Cooperation of competitors” from all over the world, with common understanding that it is much more beneficial “to act together on enlarging the cake than to fight on its slices”. This basic idea was firstly discussed at informal meeting of various exporters during the '4th World Avocado Congress' (Uruapan, Mexico 1999), where it was agreed to meet once a year and to modify numerous existing connections from being 'bi-lateral' to be 'multi-lateral'. Further many steps, for tightening the relationships, were taken in the past dozen years. Nowadays, there is permanent weekly data exchange. The group has twice a year meetings where many subjects are presented and discussed, like marketing, promotion, future supply programs, developments, new ideas etc'. AMAP is simple win-win cooperation's model, who operates without any administration, fee or levy, under a motto of “Free competition with free information". While considering the fluent information, members can better mind their steps re 'volume & timing' of their supply. On last year there is an international collaboration between Avocado producing countries to put together a research consortium to tackle the 'alternate bearing' problem in Avocados. These participating countries are AMAP members and the project is an extra outcome of "AMAP spirit".
AMAP is a voluntary organization of producers and exporters from numerous countries that identified “Common interests in developing the Avocado consumption”. The main goal is to inspect and develop the Avocado consumption in Europe. Beside - domestic markets in the producing countries and other markets as well, where applications in one end can be copied and be applied in another area.
AMAP – Members from 15 Countries
Israel Spain Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Mexico Peru Dominican Rep. USA (California)
Kenya Morocco South Africa
Australia New Zealand
Unique model with special motto:
“Cooperation of Competitors” from all over the world, with mutual understanding that it is much more beneficial “to act together on enlarging the cake than to fight on its slices”.
Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (1)
Background The Avocado Marketing and Promotion Working Group (AMAPWG) made its first steps at the 4th World Avocado Congress held in Uruapan, Mexico 1999, at an informal meeting of avocado exporters. At that meeting it was agreed that relationships between countries supplying avocados to Europe and the UK needed to be strengthened, and that sharing of certain marketing information would be to the benefit of the avocado industry as a whole. To this end it was agreed that the group should meet at least once per year to discuss matters of mutual interest. The first meeting was held in November 2001 in Spain. AMAPWG has always functioned on voluntary basis. Member countries compete with each other, whilst sharing information on promotion programmes as well as weekly shipment information. It is important to note that commercial aspects are not discussed, and volumes shipped to a particular market are not controlled by AMAPWG. The aim of AMAPWG’s information sharing is to provide good information so that those involved in the avocado industry are individually able to make their own business decisions, which they deem to be best for their businesses. In more recent years, AMAPWG has been meeting twice annually, with one meeting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, and the other meeting in one of the member countries. Discussions have gone beyond sharing of shipping information only, to the sharing of information on generic promotion and the possible coordination individual countries’ promotion efforts. To date, AMAPWG has functioned solely on tradition and relationships between members, without having a formal structure and/or definitions. While this arrangement has functioned well, it is time to introduce a formal organization, so that current structure, functioning and ethos will continue in future times, when some of current representatives, of the various counties, will no longer be involved in the Avocado industry. The aim of this document, therefore, is to formalise the structure and functioning of AMAPWG.
Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (2)
AMAP Targets • To improve the economic viability of the 'Avocado industry of its members' and the involved countries by increasing Avocado consumption all over Europe and other areas, as well as in the domestic markets of producing countries. • To act as a bridge between business competitors (producers/exporters/countries) by looking for those common interests which are not in conflict with the individuals' interests. • To initiate any kind of specific activity that represents the global interest of the avocado industry.
Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (3)
• • Means Cooperation and free information exchange among the members. Information sharing is a beneficial tool to the global avocado industry, and in particular, to those countries supplying the European Union. To this end, activities may include, but not be limited to: Sharing of crop forecasts, weekly shipment forecasts and week by week actual shipments. Sharing information on generic avocado promotion programmes, both planned and already initiated. Collaboration in ideas and activities to increase consumption of avocados.
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Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (4)
• • Principals & Practice AMAP is a voluntary organisation with mutual understanding spirit. Information will be shared on reciprocal basis only with those that provide information. Each member is entitled to receive all the information which is transferred in the group. Each member has to provide in time the agreed complete information, like 'shipment report' etc'. Membership is on a voluntary basis and is opened to parties/countries producing avocados and ready to accept AMAP spirit and principles. Membership currently includes: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, South Africa, and the USA. Meetings will be held at least once annually. Other meetings may take place, as agreed to by at least 2/3 of the members.
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Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (5)
• Annual meetings Each member country is entitled to two representatives who will participate in the discussions on behalf of their country. The names of the country representatives should be provided to the secretariat at least one week prior to the meeting. Attendance of annual meetings is open to all who may have an interest in the avocado industry. Such persons may attend as observers. Observers will not be permitted to participate in discussions, unless the chairman deems it necessary to obtain the input of observers. Meeting expenses (venue, refreshments etc.) will be shared by those attending, unless the hosts will decide to cover part or all of the costs. Attendees shall cover their own transport and accommodation costs. Agenda for the meetings will be published in advance. Members will pass their ideas/subjects at least two weeks prior the meeting. Urgent or last minute subjects will be discussed only with 2/3 of members support. Decisions should be accepted by consensus of all members. As a voluntary organisation there is no sense to vote or to dictate the decision of majority which are against the interest of single members. Discussion and persuasion are key factors for keeping such a body alive.
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Formal Structure and Functions of AMAP (6)
• Structure Member countries are those who appear on the membership list. Adding new country to the forum is subjected to acceptance of all the current members. Adding new member/producer, in one of the involved countries, is subjected to approval of the current country's representatives. It may happen and known that country's representatives are not always representing the whole local industry. Routine operations will be done with no administration fee. Special costs will be approved in advance and will be shared by the members. AMAP logo will be designed, for being used on formal papers concerning 'annual meetings' and decisions. AMAP has operated so far without any institutional structure or persons on formal duty. At such time that a formal structure becomes necessary, provision is made for the following positions: A chairman - who should coordinate the whole policy and activity. A secretary - who should ensure efficient operation and information exchange. Each will be elected by a two-thirds majority for continual period. After two years term, members may request a re-election which will take place at the next annual meeting. The chairman and secretary may not be from the same country. This document is subjected for revision every second year, at the main annual meeting.
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Historical Background (When it’s all begun?)
Uruapan, Mexico 1999 – 4th world Avocado congress Producers meeting: Infertile ideas of how to promote the avocado in Europe. It was agreed to meet once a year and to change some connections from being bilateral to be multi-lateral. Malaga, Spain 2001 – 1st annual meeting Decision to establish “Weekly Shipments Report” Tzaneen, South Africa 2002– 2nd annual meeting Malaga, Spain 2003 – 5th world Avocado congress During the congress we had our 3rd annual meeting
Historical Background (continuation)
Paris, France 2004 – 4th annual meeting Tauranga, New Zealand 2005 - 5th annual meeting Decision to meet more often - twice a year Berlin, Germany 2006 - first half a year meeting People from other sectors, were attended to learn Since 2006 – 2 annual meetings 1st - at “Fruit Logistica”, Berlin, each February
(+/- 60 people were attending on February 2011)
2nd meeting is each Sep-Nov at members home countries (nowadays in Cairns, Australia)
Current Situation (What do we have today?)
Fluent information
Ideas, questions and data exchange Simultaneous “Weekly Shipments’ Report” Weekly form of “Projected and actual Avocado supply to Europe”
Annual Meeting
Survey on the industry in each country: Planted area, varieties, future view, export & domestic market Report about past season – marketing and promotion Programs for the coming season – quantities and promotion Review and presentation of the European Market New researches and/or developments Ideas regarding mutual promotion and special activities
Current Situation (continuation) All this cooperation is done without any administration, fee or levy. We are not a Cartel - there is no information exchange or coordination of prices, client’s lists or quantities per single client It is simple model of
“Free competition with free information”
Appendix 1: example form of ‘Shipments Report’
AMAP
Export to Europe - Shipments Report
Please note: All figures in this report should be given in Metric Tons. Firm/Country: First week of the season:
Appendix 2: 2011 Total EU Avocado Supply
1400
Bars to left of arrow represent actual shipments from Peru, but also include estimates from other origins. Bars to right of arrow represent estimates
Week on market
Israel green Kenya Hass RSA Hass Israel Hass Argentina Green Colombia Hass Spain Green Argentina Hass Brazil Green Spain Hass Peru Green Brazil Hass Mexico Green Peru Hass Mexico Hass Chile Hass Kenya Green RSA Green
Appendix 3: example of Aggregate Yearly Plans
AMAPWG information sheet - August 26, 2010
2011
UPCOMING SEASON INFORMATION Production Season (Month/Year to Month/Year) Apr - Nov/11 Feb - Jul/11 Sep/10 - May/11 Feb - Oct/11 Sep/10 - Jul/11 Jul/10 - Jun/11 Oct/10 - May/11 Mar - Oct/11 Mar - Sep/11 Dec/10 - Nov/11 Nov/10 - Oct/11 Jun/10 - May/11 Jul/10 - Jun/11 Total Expected Volume (Metric Tons) 2,400 3,312 12,000 14,000 85,000 50,347 45,000 110,000 73,000 232,500 118,000 MARKETS Total Surface (Ha) 720 1,000 1,400 5% 1% 6% 1,500 6,200 7,552 8,000 13,000 21% 2% 20,500 22,300 99% 51% 30% 1% 3% 9% 26,125 33,000 98,463 100% 100% N/A 95% 90% 82% n/a 5% 10% 18% n/a 45% 42% 25% 93% 55% 58% 75% 7% 250 1000 1200 PRODUCTION Projected Growth (Hectares/ Per Year) 20 300 300 100 400 10
Country
% Hass
% Greens
% Domestic
% Europe
% US
% Other Markets
% Bearing
%Non% % Hass Bearing Other
Argentina Brazil Morocco Kenya Israel Australia Spain South Africa Peru Colombia USA Chile Mexico
