“Colombian fresh produce sector continues to develop”

Agro Futuro is an annual fair in Colombia, which was held in the capital city of Bogota instead of Medellín for the first time ever this year. Visitors from around the globe could visit international exhibitors from various sectors, including stock breeding, dairy, grains, coffee, cocoa and fruit and vegetables, in the different halls.

The Netherlands, as well as a growing number of other countries, was present with their own Pavilion, where a group of companies could use a stand or business lounge to receive their contacts. The Dutch delegation was quite diverse, and consisted of Aweta, Control Union, Hotraco, Weber Cooling, Van Iperen, ING, Jordex, LBP Rotterdam BV and others.

Anton Filippo of LBP is a regular visitor to Colombia, and it was hardly his first time visiting the Agro Futuro. “This is my third time visiting the fair, and the second time we’ve actively participated. Our potential clients might not be the exhibitors at this fair, but we did manage to meet up with a great number of companies here. Holland-House (the Colombian-Dutch Chamber of Commerce) had once again set up a great pavilion that offered space to about 20 companies to present themselves.”

“It’s very convenient that we as a Dutch company can use a spot in the pavilion to meet the people we want to talk to. The fair looked very well put together, it was conveniently arranged and logical. The nearly 25,000 visitors wanted for nothing. Even in the Food Court, something could be found for just about anyone,” Anton says. LBP has their own employee in Colombia. “In practice, that works very well, at least for us. We don’t characterise ourselves as a local forwarding agent, but our colleague sells the logistical services we offer in the Netherlands for the European market in Colombia.”

“In that field, Colombia offers great potential of chances and opportunities sector-wide. That hasn’t gone unnoticed among Dutch companies, just look at the many trade visits and missions organised each year from the Netherlands to Colombia, and the other way around as well. Holland-House works on that with a large team practically every day.” The latest task in that context is the Trade Mission that is planned for November, in which Dutch Prime Minister Rutte also intends to take part. “Perhaps that’s a new opportunity for us as well, to continue working on processing the chances, to talk to our customers and potential customers, and to find out how we can gain even more ground in this beautiful country.”