"Grupo Alta is a family business founded in Mexico in 1989 by Enrique Camou, Alan Aguirre and my father, Carlos Bon, who is proud to have been supplying organic products before they became popular, simply because of the need to grow a healthier product." Half of the 3,000 hectares cultivated by the company are devoted to organic farming and, in fact, their slogan is "your health is in our hands." Likewise, they have also always aimed to do the best for their workers, even before the concept "social responsibility" existed, because of which they obtained a Fair Trade certification without changing virtually anything in the way they work.
Its table grape campaign starts in May and lasts until July. They also grow other organic products. "90% of our exports go to the United States and Canada. We also export to other countries, but only table grapes. The other products we grow go exclusively to those two countries," explained Carlos Bon, adding that the Mexican season starts when the Chilean one comes to an end, so they only compete for one or two weeks.
The founders of Grupo Alta
The company cultivates all kinds of organic table grapes. "We grow about 18 varieties. We have black, red and green; early, middle and late," states Mr Bon. He affirms that the seedless varieties are the most demanded nowadays, to the detriment of varieties with seeds such as the Red Globe, which are losing market share.
The producer explains why organic products are more expensive than conventional ones. "It is because the yield is lower. Furthermore, many of the ecological materials we use are more expensive than conventional chemical compounds, but the main reason is that the yield is lower." However, although prices are higher, demand for organic products is increasing.
For next season, he acknowledges that there will be a lower production than expected. "In any case, it should be a year with great quality and we are really eager to start," he concludes.
More information:
Carlos Bon Camou
Grupo Alta
T: +52 (662) 261 03 20 ext. 222
M: +521 (662) 2260289
E: cbon@grupoalta.com
www.grupoalta.com