In just five years, Bengala Agricola SAS went from being a regional company to a company that is internationally recognized and a leading exporter of tropical fruits.
The flagship product of this company from the Valle del Cauca is the pineapple (in fresh, pulp, and juice concentrate); a market that other Colombian companies hadn't explored much.
Currently, Bengala is recognized as a leading producer and exporter of pineapples, as it accounts for 40 percent of international sales, and is respected for its excellent production processes and quality standards.
Achieving this recognition was not easy. Three years ago Bengala had access to various services of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Mincit) and met the requirements to operate as a company.
As a result, the company has been able to explore international markets since 2015 and now has customers in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, North Africa, Japan, and Arabia.
"There must be a synergy between the public and private sectors. This synergy must lead to the awakening of the country and to seeing the international market as an opportunity," said Mauricio Lopez, business manager of Bengala Agricola.
Lopez said the company had generated employment in the region where it operates and that they have proven that Colombians can produce quality fruits for the demanding international markets.
Bengala Agricola also contributed to the creation of Asocolpiña, the union of pineapple producers that brings together 12 companies, and through which the industry built its roadmap to improve the efficiency of their processes and enhance cultivation and marketing practices.
In fact, the company has already been certified in good agricultural practices by ICA and by the World Basc Organization, which gave it a Business Alliance for Secure Commerce for their business standards.
The company expect to get the Global GAP certification in April; and the Rainforest Alliance certificate by the end of the year.
Source: eltiempo.com