The Argentinian-Spanish company Alquimia Fruits, specialising in overseas imports and exports, has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.
In an interview with Manuel Baides, purchasing director of Alquimia in Spain, we will look back at those ten years, during which they went from selling their own fruit to the Russian market to expanding their sales to the Middle East, South East Asia, mainland China, Europe and several countries on the American continent.
Where did the idea behind Alquimia's creation come from?
It was the idea of the manager and founder of the firm, Mr Martin Cousiño, who came up with the Alquimia brand.
When did Alquimia start operating?
It formally started operating in mid-2006, although its members entered the fruit sector in 1999, working for other companies in the industry.
Did you start working with the same products that you currently handle?
Initially, the company was specialised in Argentinian products intended solely for the Russian market. We worked with small table grape producers from the regions of Cuyo and sweet citrus growers from the coast of Argentina. In 2009, the sharp devaluation of the rouble and the consequent loss of purchasing power of this market, forced us to explore new horizons and found our greatest trading partners in the Middle East and South East Asia. Our range was expanded with citrus fruit, kakis, stone and pome fruit. We also have a marketing department shipping fruit by air, focused mainly on blueberries, nectarines and exotics.
How has Alquimia developed from its creation in 2006 until 2016?
You could say that the company has evolved on all fronts. Our markets and product range have gradually expanded, our sales volumes have multiplied and, therefore, we have increased our human resources, with the latter being the main factor that has allowed us to grow at an average rate of 20% per year. We went from being just two brothers, each working alone across the Atlantic Ocean, to having a permanent staff of nearly twenty people in three offices located in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Valencia.
From selling our fresh fruit only on the Russian market we moved on to exporting to multiple destinations in the Middle East, South East Asia, mainland China, Europe and some countries in the Americas.
Besides being fruit marketers, we also have our own citrus, kaki, cherry and stone fruit crops in Spain and in Argentina.
Are you, perhaps, one of the companies with the strongest ties between Argentina and Spain?
We should definitely be one of the companies in the sector with the strongest ties between Spain and Argentina. Our product range in both hemispheres allows us to supply our customers 52 weeks of the year.
How did you meet the Cousiño brothers or how did they find you?
It was six years ago, while working in a business that exported fruit to the UK. We wanted to buy Argentinian satsumas for that market and I thought Alquimia might be a good company, given the experience they had in the field of imports. We did not manage to buy anything, but it brought us into contact, and months later we decided to go a step further and buy fruit from outside Europe. And here I am today, with a large portfolio of suppliers and friends of the company, buying fruit from Spain for the rest of the world.
How has the market and the way you do business in general changed compared to when you started?
During the course of these ten years, the markets have gradually become more demanding and competitive. Countries that were used to eating poor quality fruit have now have raised their standards and they demand only the best. This requires us to regularly improve and increase our quality standards through investment and training.
Today, both the media and existing digital tools make it easier for us do business in a quicker and more efficient manner. The rise in quality standards worldwide created the need to adopt new technologies in the production and harvesting, packaging and logistics of our products. The fruit and vegetable sector has greatly benefited from the constant launch of tools and innovations that allow us to reach new parts of the globe every day.
Will you organise any activity, event or special action to mark the occasion?
Last August, we had a company retreat, with all our staff travelling to Majorca. We had the chance to carry out some team building activities aimed at improving communication in and outside the company. We had a great time and, for the first time, the company's whole team was together in one location.
How do you see Alquimia in ten years time?
Bigger and stronger than ever, always looking for new horizons in which to market our products. The past ten years have helped us strengthen the company and its brand in all major overseas markets. Now, more than ever, we have the resources and the will to continue providing our customers with the best from each country that we buy our fruit from today.
For more information:
Manuel Baides
Alquimia Fruits S.L. Valencia.
Avda. Vicente Ferris nº 9, pta. 2,
46650 Canals - Valencia, Spain.
T: +34-962242054
M: +34-636623155
Skype: alquimiafruits_compras
compras@alquimiafruits.com
www.alquimiafruits.com
Manuel Baides
Alquimia Fruits S.L. Valencia.
Avda. Vicente Ferris nº 9, pta. 2,
46650 Canals - Valencia, Spain.
T: +34-962242054
M: +34-636623155
Skype: alquimiafruits_compras
compras@alquimiafruits.com
www.alquimiafruits.com