The Colombian International Corporation (CCI in spanish) has worked for 10 years on the development of Hass avocados in Cauca, where the area's potential for planting this product was unknown.
The entity became a pioneer in this area and there are currently 1,000 hectares planted with this crop in the area, which started exporting their fruits through intermediaries nearly three years ago.
Now, it has started direct sales abroad, along with the producers of the Caucahass association, accompanied by the CCI and ColombiaGAP brands.
The exported product was sent to the port of Flushing (the Netherlands), and they managed to close negotiations, with the best conditions for producers, for the season that begins at the end of the year.
The CCI was present at the Macfrut fair in Italy, where, according to Adriana Senior, president of the organization, people want their avocados.
Adriana Senior said they have shipping requests from Italy, Spain, France, China, Korea and Abu Dhabi.
"The quality, safety and traceability is the seal of guarantee. That is why we must ensure that all our producers are certified with GlobalGAP, GRASP, certificates, and that they also obtain the ColombiaGAP medal, to better position the Colombian product," she said.
The associative effort has been essential, as in the past small farmers had been unable to conquer international markets. Currently, many institutions are going to this region to support the initiative initiated by the CCI.
"The important thing is that we can consolidate an exportable supply of quality, where we all articulate to be clear about the technological package, the seed, the suitable land and all the financial and commercial variables," stated Senior, who also said the avocado guilds, such as Corpohass, should be strengthened throughout all regions.
Source: portafolio.co