Yuksel Seeds has reported a highly positive response to its first participation in Asia Fruit Logistica, with visitor interest exceeding expectations and providing valuable insights into the opportunities emerging across the Asian fresh produce market.
The Yuksel Seeds stand welcomed a diverse audience throughout the exhibition, including local visitors and professionals from other continents. Alongside Chinese visitors, a significant number of professionals came from Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. Several products stood out among visitors, including the company’s premium heirloom tomatoes, Kapia peppers, Dulce Italiano peppers and snack cucumbers.
The company’s presence at the exhibition was supported by its senior management and regional teams. Mehmet Yuksel, CEO of Yuksel Seeds, attended the event together with İsmail Gülsoy, Area Sales Manager Asia Pacific; Nico van Vliet, Downstream Integration Lead; and George Chen, Country Manager China, alongside several members of the Chinese team.
“Overall, the response was above our expectations. We welcomed a very interesting mix of visitors, not only from the local market but also from other continents, including growers, marketers and retailers,” said Ismail Gülsoy, Area Sales Manager Asia Pacific at Yuksel Seeds. “The interest in heirlooms, Kapia and Dulce Italiano peppers and snack cucumbers was particularly encouraging.”
The exhibition also provided a clear indication of the growing importance of premium quality and flavour in the Chinese market. “Brix is becoming an increasingly important criterion when evaluating premium products, with opportunities extending beyond cherry tomatoes to other categories such as peppers and cucumbers”, explained Gülsoy.
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For Yuksel Seeds, the exhibition also highlighted the importance of understanding the entire value chain and responding to the needs of different market players.
“Meeting retailers and marketers alongside growers was particularly valuable for us,” said Nico van Vliet, Downstream Integration Lead at Yuksel Seeds. “It allows us to connect what we are developing in breeding with what consumers ultimately want to see and experience. Premium quality only creates value when the product delivers something that consumers appreciate and want to buy again.”
The strong interest in differentiated products reinforces Yuksel Seeds’ strategy of developing varieties that combine agronomic performance with quality, flavour and consumer appeal. The company is increasingly looking at opportunities further along the value chain, working with growers, distributors, marketers, retailers and foodservice partners to better understand changing consumption patterns.
“Asia Fruit Logistica was an important first step for us,” added Gülsoy. “Beyond the individual meetings, it gave us the opportunity to listen to the market, understand its diversity and identify where our portfolio can bring added value. We are very encouraged by what we have seen and look forward to continuing to develop our presence in the region.”
For Yuksel Seeds, participation in Asia Fruit Logistica marks another step in its international growth strategy and strengthens its commitment to China and the wider Asian market.
With operations in more than 85 countries and a portfolio of around 900 commercial varieties across 18 crop species, Yuksel Seeds continues to invest in breeding and innovation, with a growing focus on quality, flavour and the consumer experience.
