Introducing: Exoriens Company Limited, Thailand

Exoriens Company Limited is a newly established company in 2004 as a marketer of high quality fresh and fresh-cut produce to Australia, Japan, Korea & South Africa. Together with our suppliers we have over 15 years experience in the production of fresh produce in Thailand. Exoriens is an exporter of fresh green asparagus and baby corn, all year round, with volumes of 2000 tons + annually making us the leading exporter of Fresh Thai Asparagus. Other produce exported includes fresh pineapples, mangos, coconuts, lychee & longan. We were the first company to export fresh lychee to Australia in 2004 under the newly established FTA (Free Trade Agreement) between Thailand & Australia. Within our first year of exporting under the Exoriens brand we have become the no. 1 supplier of fresh produce from Thailand to the Australian supermarkets and wholesale markets.

In conjunction with its suppliers and contract farmers Exoriens Company Limited grows, packs, ships and distributes Thai fresh produce – with asparagus being our main focus. We are able to respond quickly to changing market and customer conditions. Our professional management team allows us to control the quality and consistency of our produce, facilitating ‘just in time’ delivery of our produce at its very peak of freshness. We can have fresh asparagus packaged and landed into our clients cool stores within 1-3 days from the time of ordering.

Our main packing facility which employs over 600 staff holds HACCP, GMP & GAP certification for the export of fresh produce. EUREGAP will follow within 2005. We are located three hours from Bangkok airport in the centre of the primary agriculture producing area of Thailand. Quality control officers inspect and test our fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables daily at the point of packing to ensure that the products shipped are as fresh and in the best possible condition ensuring maximum shelf life is achieved.

Due to our success we have now expanded our production in Thailand for asparagus and are entering the European market. We are currently sourcing importers and distributors in the EU for our high quality asparagus products. If an all year round supply of high quality fresh asparagus for a supermarket group or for a fresh wholesale market place is what you require please make contact with us for further information.

Best Regards,
James Sexton
Managing Director

Exoriens Company Limited
317 Kamol Sukosol Building, 16th Floor, Unit E
Silom Road , Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok,
10500 Thailand
Tel + 66 2 631 2811
Fax + 66 2 631 2812
e-mail: info@exoriens.com
URL: www.exoriens.com

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Introducing Badr Day Co., Iran

Badr Day Co. with high knowledge, capabilities and resources in supply & export of Iranian Dates & Side Products of Dates has successfully emerged as the specialist in this field.

We proudly announce that we have great possibilities to supply Fresh Dates, Semi Dry Dates and Dry Dates, pitted or unpitted, in consumer and /or bulk packs even under the private brands of the buyers.

We also are capable to produce superior quality of Diced Dates and Date Syrup 100% natural for health food consumers.

Badr Day Co. would be more than pleased to receive your inquiries in this field from European countries and / or countries from the other continents and present you our quality products, reasonable prices and perfect services.

Interested companies may contact us through the following address:

Badr Day Co.
No 61, 1st floor , Modiriat Blvd., Chamran Exp'way,
Tehran-19979, IRAN
P.O. Box: 14655-417
Tel: 0098-21-2080162 – 2080158
Fax: 0098-21-2095083
e-mail: info@day-co.com
URL: www.day-co.com

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Introducing: Tabuk Agriculture
Development Company, Saudi Arabia

Tabuk Agriculture Development Company (TADCO), one of the largest agricultural companies in the Middle East at 35,000 hectares, was founded in 1983. It is situated in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia where the climate is very suitable for agriculture. Its products include wheat (grains and seeds), potatoes, onions, alfalfa, fruits (stone fruits, grapes), and olive oil.

From its inception, Tadco had a vision to exploit the uniqueness of the climate of Tabuk to produce the highest quality products. TADCO also had a vision to expand its product product lines to the maximum to enable supply to its markets for the longest possible periods.

Tadco has many unique features pertaining to production; marketing; product research & development; product quality; storage technology; environmental protection; water resource management; and human resource development.

1. Production:
The most important of TADCO’s products is wheat, which has a very successful production record at Tadco. In 1996 (?), TADCO realized the strategic importance of a growing wheat seeds market and accordingly invested in building the largest and most technologically advanced seeds processing plant in Saudi Arabia. Today, wheat seeds alone contribute the lion’s share of TADCO’s annual profits, and this is due to a carefully planned and executed strategy over the years of producing consistently high quality seeds and educating farmers, engineers and distributors on the importance of planting high quality wheat seeds for profitable crop production. This has earned for TADCO its reputation as the leading wheat seeds producer in the Kingdom.

Alfalfa is another of TADCO’s strategically important products, and is grown principally for supplying some of the Kingdom’s leading dairy companies. In 1991, TADCO signed the biggest every alfalfa production contract for supplying Almarai with 150,000 MT per annum for 14 years, which TADCO eventually scaled back due to the high water consumption which was depleting the company’s water reserves. The equipment used for cutting, baling, and stacking the alfalfa is unique in the Kingdom, enabling (for example) an entire 50 ha pivot of alfalfa bales being collected and stacked in just about 2 hours! Many of the world’s leading alfalfa experts who have visited TADCO have attested that TADCO’s alfalfa is among the best quality in the world.

Potatoes of many varieties have been grown at TADCO over the years, and today TADCO is the single biggest potato producer in the Kingdom, and supplies over 85% of the requirements by Saudi potato factories for locally grown potatoes. TADCO’s potato production has traditionally been spread over two crops per year ---- (i) a “spring” crop with planting in January and harvest in June / July) and (ii) an “autumn” crop with planting in August and harvest in December / January. In 2004, Tadco produced for the first time in Saudi Arabia a third “summer” crop, and it now has the unique distinction of being one of the few potato producers in the world which can supply the markets all-year-round.

TADCO is famous for its high quality onions, whose quality is on par with the best in the world, and in 2003 it exported over 1000 MT of white onions to Italy.

The Tabuk area generally is recognized as best area in the Kingdom for fruit production. The total number of fruit trees at TADCO is currently around 1 million. Stone fruits include apricots, peaches, nectarines and there are several varieties of seeded and seedless grapes. Tadco grows the best and latest fruit varieties from around the world which suit the climate of Tabuk, and in 2003, in recognition of its high production expertise, Sunworld Inc of California (the world’s foremost breeder of table grapes) granted TADCO the licence in Saudi Arabia to produce the world-famous “superior” grapes variety.

Concerning olive oil, the first olive oil pressing plant in Saudi Arabia was at Tadco. Over a period of many years, TADCO selected and grew the best varieties suiting the Tabuk climate, and today it produces an array of varieties, with sensory characteristics of Italian and Spanish olive varieties. TADCO is the only company in Saudi Arabia (and one of the only few in the world) to offer its consumers olive oil by variety rather than blends of varieties mixed together. TADCO olive oil also meets or exceeds the standard for extra virgin olive oil as laid down by the International Olive Oil Council, and its olive oil brand (Shamal) has the unique distinction of being the only olive oil brand (either local or imported) in Saudi Arabia to have the prestigious Saudi Quality mark of excellence.

2. Marketing:
Up to 2001, TADCOo utilised the prevailing decentralised sales management system, and in 2002, in recognition of the dynamic changing market environment it changed to centralized “product sales management” from its headquarters at Tadco project in Tabuk. This was a bold and far-sighted move, seen by many in the industry as over-ambitious and risky. However, the centralization of the sales management and the designation of the sales managers as “product managers” has proven to be one of the most important of TADCO’s decisions in its history, and TADCO’s product sales managers are unrivalled in expertise anywhere in the Kingdom in their respective product sections. Reorganization and restructuring of TADCO’s marketing department continues up to today in response to the changing market environment, which facilitates strategy development which brings TADCO and its customers closer together in a way that the competition are unable to match. For example, TADCO embarks on yearly extension service (with the help of the best consultants in the world) for wheat farmers, dairy farmers, and potato processing factories and it extensively employs market research to keep in tune with consumers’ underlying motivations for purchase of particular brands in striving to meet consumers needs and wants.

3. Product Research and development:
Since its inception in 1983, TADCO has been trialing on the production side many new varieties of wheat, barley, olives, fruits to arrive at the best possible varieties suitable for TADCO climatic and conditions and suitable for customers. Research and development involves close coordination between production and marketing departments, and in response to what its marketing perceives as a market opportunity, Tadco this year will be embarking on innovative developments which are newly in use in USA, namely “superconditioned alfalfa” and “pm harvest alfalfa”. Such product innovation with input from both production and marketing sides, is unique in Saudi Arabia, and further widens the competitive gap between TADCO and its competitors. TADCO is also trailing wheat varieties for flour milling, and it has conducted trials on processing tomatoes and maize in its efforts to diversify its product range.

4. Product Quality:
TADCO is a leader in product quality, and its products command premium prices for high quality. TADCO is particularly concerned with quality assurance, and recently upgraded its laboratory facilities to the tune of SR1 million. This has enabled TADCO to deliver more than 1 million MT of alfalfa to dairy farms without a single rejection, and over 100,000 MT of potatoes to processing factories without rejection, and annual spoilage of less than 2% for annual fruit production exceeding 6000 MT. Not only does this reduce TADCO’s costs, but it is also a key factor in the close relationship between TADCO and its customers. TADCO’s investment in laboratory equipment is a model example of excellent return on investment.

5. Storage and grading Technology:
TADCO is an innovator in cold store technology for potatoes, onions, and fruits in Saudi Arabia, and in 1999 it invested in the most advanced cold storage technology in the world such that today it has the most advanced storage facilities in the Middle East. Many visiting experts and dignitaries have marveled at the uniqueness of the facilities in Saudi Arabia. Potatoes can be stored in 34 cold rooms, with a combined storage capacity at any one time of 13,000 MT (up to 26,000 MT for two crops per year at present, and with our new third cropping policy, this will exceed 30,000 MT of storage capacity per annum). Fruits can be stored in 16 additional rooms for a storage capacity of up to 5500 MT of fruit at any one time and are graded using state-of-the-art computerized grading equipment to ensure the most uniform and standard size of fruit for the consumers. The whole cold-storage system is completely computerized, with local environmental conditions in each store room continually monitored and accordingly adjusted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TADCO is also a leader in pushing the boundaries of production, and invests heavily in the best consultative expertise in the world to achieve outstanding yields and quality for all its products.

6. Environmental protection:
TADCO is the first agriculture company in Saudi Arabia to successfully use a combination of environmentally friendly products to control harmful disease-spreading insects, but without harming insects which are beneficial for the environment. In achieving this success, under the guidance of the American entomology society (which has pioneered environmental protection in USA)

TADCO has been able to drastically reduce the use of chemicals which damage the environment to such an extent that there is now an ecological balance of beneficial insects which control the harmful insects, and the end result is a protected environment and products which are totally free of any chemical residues. In addition, only natural plant extract from eucalyptus tree is used as a sprout suppressant during potato storage. Protection of the environment and chemical residue-free products are two of the most important topics of concern to consumers today.

7. Water resource management:
Since its establishment in 1983, TADCO has had as one of its foremost concerns the efficient use of the Kingdom’s limited water resources. Over 90% of the consultants employed every year by TADCO are for providing consultation on reducing the consumption of water for growing crops. Such is the success achieved by TADCO in this area, following millions of riyals investment in irrigation technology and software, that TADCO now uses about half the amount of water to grow a crop than it did 20 years ago.

Furthermore, TADCO has taken a leading role in allaying consumers’ and official government concerns about the consumption of water by agriculture by hosting the first ever agricultural water consumption seminar in 2004, which was patroned by many important officials, and which was a very significant event in highlighting the extraordinary efforts TADCO goes to conserve its precious water resources.

8. Human Resource Development:
Since its establishment in 1983, TADCO has been striving to develop the Human Resources caliber of its Saudi nationals employed by the company, and currently is working in very close coordination with the Ministry of Labour to provide intensive training to highly qualified and enthusiastic Saudi Nationals in all aspects of TADCO’s work ---- especially in engineering, administration, marketing, finance, and production

Tabuk Agriculture Development Company
Tel: + 966-4-4500000
Fax: + 966-4-4500025
e-mail: tadco@tadco-agri.com
URL: www.tadco-agri.com 

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Introducing Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A, Brazil





Queiroz Galvão Group, through Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A, has taken part in the transformation of the region of San Francisco Valley.

Using high technology and reaching high productivity levels on mangoes and grapes production, the two companies occupy a privileged position among Brazilian exporters. Our farms export their production from the ports of SUAPE (Pernambuco), Salvador (Bahia) and Pecém (Ceará), to the ports of Philadelphia (EUA), Long Beach (EUA), Rotterdam ( Netherlands) and other major ports of Europe.

Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A are producing together around 7.200 tons of mangoes and 1.300 tons of seedless grapes per year. With a total area of 1.600 ha, the two companies are using now 350 ha for mangoes production and 250 ha for grapes production. All this structure employs 950 people (rising up to almost 1.500 people during the harvest peak). Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A use the newest resources of their economic sector.

The Quality Control covers since the research of the best seedlings, goes through the monitoring of the fruit growing, until the harvest time, transportation, storage and distribution to USA, Canada and Europe markets. All this backup structure allows the companies to show something fundamental to the exporting market: the possibility to track the whole fruit’s life, all production process, selection and transport, from field to consumer’s table.

Once produced, mangoes and grapes, known in the international market by our trade marks Timbaúba, Dulce and Mango’s Honey, are packed in two modern packing houses for grapes and one for mangoes, with capacity to process 130 tons of mangoes per day and 32 tons of grapes per day.

Preservation Area
Protecting an area of 472 ha of “caatinga” (typical Brazilian’s northeast vegetation), the two companies are proud of preserving this kind of vegetation to the next generations. Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A are always targeting to establish and maintain the highest quality levels in their products, assuring the production of safe food, becoming more competitive, and widening the possibility to reach new markets.

HACCP
Timbaúba and Guararapes Agrícola S/A have earned the certification HACCP – Hazard Analyses and Critical Control Point since the year of 2001. This system is based on steps that include all operations, from the obtaining of raw material until the food consumption. The concept of the system is based on the identification of hazard points to food safety, as well as on the control of the conditions that generates these hazard points inside the packing houses.

After a process that started in may 2001, the two companies were audited and certified by the multinational Primuslabs, reaching the grade “superior” to European and American markets.

EUREPGAP
The two companies were also certified by SGS – Societé Générale Surveillance with the EUREPGAP. This certification is a European protocol for fruits and vegetables in effect since 2003. All these systems are recommended by FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, WTO – World Trade Organization and WHO – World Health Organization.

Frederico Henrique Tavares
Foreign Commerce Analyst
QGPIA - Timbaúba Agrícola S/A
A Company of Queiroz Galvão Group S/A
Phone: +55 813463-5104
Fax: +55 81 3463 5301
e-mail: fredtavares@queirozgalvao.com.br
URL: http://www.guararapes.net/english/about_us/quality.shtml

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Introducing: EcoAvo,
New Zealand

Eco Avocados was established in 1980 in Katikati, New Zealand by Doug Brown@" Homestead" for the purpose of growing and marketing of organic avocados.

When Biogro NZ was formed in 1984 as a certification authority, the orchard at " Homestead" became the 10th farm in New Zealand to become a certified organic farm, and there are over 700 to date. The Homestead orchard covers 4 hectares, with Hass avocado’s as the main variety.

Ecoavo today is an established marketer of organic avocados in New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. With a supply base of over 50 growers, it’s growth rate is rapidly increasing by New Zealand standards. All avocado’s are sold under the brand name ‘Ecoavo’ and exported by export company ‘Global fresh NZ’.

Doug shows us his Reed avocados which are ready to Harvest from March to May >>>

Contact - Doug Brown
221 Thompsons Track,
R.D. 2, Katikati,
New Zealand.

Phone: +64 7 5490 617
Phone: +64 21 668 117
Fax: +64 7 5490 617
email: doug.brown@wave.co.nz
URL: www.ecoavo.com

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