Altex, the Mexican agricultural food company that was founded 30 years ago, completed the expansion of its growing area aimed at increasing its production capacity of the Eva branded hydroponic lettuce, which will be exported to the United States.
"We already entered into Texas through a major supermarket chain there, and we are doing tests in 75 stores. We are doing very well and we believe that we will expand soon in the United States," said Luis Miguel Lastra, marketing director for Altex Group.
The company, which was once part of the Bimbo Group, produces about 20 million lettuces every year. A few weeks ago, they completed the program that allowed them to add two hectares to their six-hectare greenhouse in San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato. "Now we will be able to export up to 30 million lettuces a year to the United States and thus be in more self-service stores," said Lastra.
The United States is the natural market for export of their product due to Guanajuato's proximity and direct logistics, as these hydroponic plants have a long shelf life of 20 days.
However, the company does not rule out exporting to other countries, mainly in Asia and Europe, because it has a range of fresh products, which include six different types of salads.
"If we continue to do things right, we'll be able to reach the United States and Canada. We have managed to take our products to Russia, and we have made an effort to do take them to Japan. Things are marching and apparently going well, "said Fernando Aparicio, commercial director of the Group.
The cultivation process of the Eva lettuce in the greenhouse and the plant where they are produced lasts 55 days.
Altex Group has a 2.6% market share in Mexico's salad category, according to data from Euromonitor for 2015 .
Source: expansion.mx