"Our job is to offer Colombians a worthy and safe opportunity"

López affirms that the company's goals are to consolidate in Europe and continue to expand in the US market. "We already export, but we could do a little more, especially when it comes to the marketing of agroindustrial products in the US market." To do this, the company is trying to create a more recognisable brand image, which it hopes to achieve in less than a year. "We export all our fruits under our own commercial brand to make it more popular. We have done a tremendous job in the fields of development and promotion, both at the base and with our customers," he explains, praising the role of media, such as FreshPlaza, in the promotion.

López also delved into the various aspects of Bengala Agrícola's social work. "We provide training and assistance to the producers, and we also supply them the seeds, because the quality of the plant material and the product traceability are essential for us. Moreover, we give them entrepreneurial advice so that they feel accompanied throughout the entire process." Bengala Agrícola considers it important for all its producers to have the necessary certifications.

López outlined the current situation with the FARC in the country. "I would say that Colombia has a path to peace, and that is job creation through progress and development. Colombia is an agricultural, and not an industrial country, and our job is to offers Colombians a worthy and safe opportunity to earn an income for themselves and their families," he assures. "If they are given an opportunity, people will not want to join or become associated with the FARC, as this would jeopardise their lives. That's the impact we have on the areas that have been in conflict, but in which people are now thankful to Bengala Agrícola for setting up its crops there."

Besides pineapples, the company will start growing mangos from July and is studying the business opportunities offered by other agricultural products, such as avocados, of which between 500 and 1,000 hectares could be planted in Colombia in the future.

Bengala Agrícola is also offering a new line of processed products, explains Julian Andrés Rojas Villa, head of diversification. "It is a new line of business which we started developing in 2015. The aim is to diversify the product range and make good use of all fruits that fail to meet the requirements for export because of their size, but which retain the smell, colour and taste of MD-2 pineapples."

"One of the products we are strongly committed to is our 100% natural snacking fruit, resulting from a freeze-drying process which preserves the fruit's organoleptic and sensory properties," explains Villa, adding that this product has become popular because they are very easy to take away anywhere. "Another of our products is pineapple pulp, used in the food industry to produce juices, jams and sauces, mixing it with different flavours, such as aloe vera, mint or ginger," he states.

These products enjoy good demand in Colombia, but also in the United States and Europe. "We see great potential in sauces as an accompaniment to all kinds of foods. Nectars do well in the United States and Europe as a result of the trend favouring the consumption of natural, healthy, low calorie products without artificial flavours. We are getting in touch with overseas customers and we have all labels translated into French and English, as the samples we shipped to Paris were positively reviewed," affirms Villa. "There are great expectations for this new line of products that generate value for our company."