Landgard expands its first-hand product portfolio overseas and in Colombia
In the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia, María Elvira Pombo Holguín, last Thursday at the Fruit Logistica, Landgard announced it would establish a joint venture with its own representative office in Colombia. With the founding of this company in Colombia, a prerequisite is created for the development of customer-supplier relationships in the fruit and vegetables sector within the framework of first-hand procurement of goods.
(from left) Rafael Madrid Tisnes (Production Manager Advocate), Stefan Reincke (Managing Director Godeland Marketing Company mbH for fruit and vegetables), Ricardo Pedroza (Commercial Attaché), Rafael Madrid Bolero (General Manager Advocate), Maria Elvira Pombo (Ambassador), Bert Schmitz ( Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Landgard eG), Armin Rehberg (CEO Landgard eG), Markus Zender (Managing Director Landgard Fruit & Vegetable Holding GmbH), Labinot Elshani (Chief Representative Fruit & Vegetables at Landgard)
The founding process was actively promoted by the Colombian government. The future activities of Landgard in the Republic of Colombia have been discussed in detail. "Colombia has very fertile districts and produces a wide range of exotic products, which are increasingly in demand on the German market. Therefore, I am very pleased that the trade relations between Landgard and Colombian growers will be strengthened by the establishment of this joint venture. It will create a strong partnership between Landgard and Colombia in the agricultural market, for which I see great potential in the future," said Ambassador María Elvira Pombo Holguín.
The company will be based in the Colombian capital Bogota, and will further professionalize the on-site support of new Colombian member companies. In the future, cultivation planning and quality management in accordance with German standards will be supervised by specialized staff, directly on site. In addition, close cooperation in the logistics sector ensures the supply of fresh produce year-round. First of all, the ranges of Colombian member farms will include avocados, limes, physalis and pitahaya.
Internationalization of the producer base
"The founding of the Colombian branch takes place in the context of the progressive internationalization of producer cooperative Landgard. In addition to the core region of Europe -with its regional and national base in Germany- in recent years, Landgard has been able to win over numerous growers in China, Vietnam, Israel and New Zealand as new members of Landgard eG. The establishment of the joint venture in Colombia marks an important milestone in the further expansion of Landgard's overseas business. In addition to Colombia, countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil and South Africa also play an important role. From there, customers will in future be supplied with products from first-hand bought goods such as bananas, pears, table grapes, mangoes, avocados and various types of melons. These activities are also related to our new distribution center to the south of Hamburg, which we will be starting up for the 2019 season, equipped with the latest sustainable technology," said Armin Rehberg, CEO of Landgard eG.
Landgard currently has around 3,300 members - regionally, nationally and internationally. In addition to 2,600 members in Germany -of which 1,600 are in the west, 500 in the north, 260 in the east and 200 in the south- the share of international producers is steadily increasing. Landgard member companies in countries such as the Netherlands (280 producers), China (130 producers), Denmark (96 producers), Israel (35 producers), Italy (30 producers) and Spain (30 producers) all play a very important role in ensuring the security of year-round product availability and integrated solutions for retailers.
For more information: www.landgard.de