“The agri-food export sector: adapting to a changing logistics landscape”

For its third edition, AGROFRET – organised on the initiative of HAROPA PORT and ISEMAR – brought together all stakeholders in the agri-food export sector to analyse the profound changes in international trade and identify practical measures to secure and develop trade flows.

A key event for professionals in agri-food exports

This edition brought together experts, logistics specialists, shipowners, institutional representatives and shippers to discuss the strategic challenges associated with containerised exports from the agricultural and agri-food sectors.

The event was opened by:

• Benoît Rochet, Chairman of the Executive Board of HAROPA PORT
• Hervé Bonis, President of UMEP
• Julie Brayer Mankor, Deputy Director-General of FranceAgriMer

All emphasised the need for the sector to adapt to a constantly evolving logistics environment, characterised by geopolitical shifts, supply chain pressures and increased demands for performance and sustainability.

Analysing major global trends

Global outlooks & port dynamics

Paul Tourret, Director of ISEMAR, and Kris Danaradjou, Deputy Managing Director for Development at HAROPA PORT, analysed the global dynamics of the agri-food supply chain and their impact on France’s leading port for the sector.

Against a backdrop of shifting international trade patterns, the ability of port hubs to anticipate and adapt is emerging as a key factor in competitiveness.

Maritime corridors & international markets

Changes in shipping routes, new geopolitical balances and the transformation of global markets were at the heart of the discussions led by:

• Jean-Baptiste Perrin, Branch Manager, WEC Lines France
• Jean-Michel Garcia, International Affairs Representative at the AUTF – Association of Freight Transport Users

A shared observation: the sector is undergoing a major overhaul, forcing stakeholders to constantly adapt their commercial and logistical strategies.

Reinventing logistics to serve exporters

Logistics & multimodal transport

Multimodal solutions, cold chain performance and new logistics organisations were at the heart of discussions with:

• CEVA Logistics
• Sogestran Logistics
• The National Group for Combined Transport – GNTC
• Honfleur Normandie Export Logistics

The speakers highlighted the importance of integrated, seamless and low-carbon logistics capable of meeting the growing demands of international markets whilst ensuring the quality of agri-food products.

An efficient and connected port ecosystem

The final round-table discussion examined the benefits of an efficient and digitalised port hub serving French exporters.

Alongside HAROPA PORT, the following organisations took part:

• SOGET
• XP LOG
• SEAFRIGO

All emphasised the importance of coordination between stakeholders, the digitalisation of procedures and logistical innovation in enhancing the sector’s appeal and performance.

A unifying event for the sector

This third edition of AGROFRET was made possible thanks to the commitment of the teams at HAROPA PORT and ISEMAR, as well as their partners:

• FranceAgriMer
• SeinePort Union
• UMEP
• AUTF – Association of Freight Transport Users
• TLF Overseas
• ANIA

AGROFRET thus reaffirms its role as a strategic forum to support the French agri-food sector in facing the challenges of a rapidly changing logistics landscape.