AL.MA is now importing Peruvian pineapples by air. "Just like for mangoes, Formosa papayas and other fruit, consumption is increasing. We have always imported pineapples from Santo Domingo, but we have realised we need to start trading fruit form other countries too if we want to be able to meet demand the whole year round."
Sales director Matteo Malvestiti (in the photo) explains that the company's objectives are quantity, quality and regularity.
"In the past few months, there has been a lack of pineapples due to weather problems. This of course has led to an increase in prices, though it remains difficult to increase the remuneration over a certain threshold because it would become really expensive for final consumers to buy the product."
Peru is increasing its production of various products. "Our cooperation started a few weeks ago and we are now the second company in Europe for the trading of Peruvian pineapples."
Peruvian pineapples: packaging and storytelling
"The added value for this product is provided by the high quality of its packaging. Additional information such as the history of the fruit is provided on a special label (see photo below). The message it conveys is that Peru is a new country that now supplies pineapples too. For this idea to work well, though, the fruit must be sold at the right price."
Peru is increasing its production of various products. "Our cooperation started a few weeks ago and we are now the second company in Europe for the trading of Peruvian pineapples."
Peruvian pineapples: packaging and storytelling
"The added value for this product is provided by the high quality of its packaging. Additional information such as the history of the fruit is provided on a special label (see photo below). The message it conveys is that Peru is a new country that now supplies pineapples too. For this idea to work well, though, the fruit must be sold at the right price."
At the moment, AL.MA is only selling Peruvian pineapples to the catering industry. "The first load has arrived and the second is still on its way. Peru is used to working with big grades that weigh more than 2.4 kg, but Italy requires smaller fruits."
A popular fruit
"While it is true that pineapples are quite exotic, it must be said that people are now used to them. They are available throughout the year and consumption is high. Demand is increasing and we are finding it difficult to issue production schedules because we do not know how much produce we will need."
Pineapples from Santo Domingo.
"This is why we needed to diversify our suppliers. We have been collaborating with Santo Domingo for over 20 years but, as demand grows, we need to widen our network."
At the moment, AL.MA deals with pineapples coming mainly from Santo Domingo together with some volumes from Colombia and Peru. "The period up to Christmas is quite lively and we want to meet the demand of Italian as well as other foreign clients (Switzerland, France, Greece and Eastern European countries)."
Contacts:
Matteo Malvestiti
Email: matteo.malvestiti@almafrutta.com
AL.MA. s.r.l.
Via Lombroso, 54
20137 Milano
Tel.: (+39) 02 5510622
Fax: (+39) 02 55195646
Email: almafrutta@tin.it
Web: www.almafrutta.it