Levarht has started a collaboration with the melon company Agroindustrias Distex from southern Honduras. "Besides the melon programmes that we do from Brazil, Guatamala, Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica this is a nice addition with large arrivals for Easter," says Frank Levarht.
Agroindustrias Distex is a young company that was founded in 2015. The company grows Galia, Cantaloupe, Honeydew and watermelons on three different farms. "They export to the United States themselves. We have the exclusive sales in Asia and the European market under the brands Sweet Kiss and Joe's tropical fruit. In the last year we did various test shipments and the quality was fine. This gave us the faith to do a large programme with them," says Frank.
With its volume Agroindustrias Distex is the second largest melon exporter from Honduras to Europe and has the capacity to package four to five containers of melons and one container of watermelons daily. The producer is GlobalGAP and Rainforest Alliance certified, among others. "Distex takes its social responsibility seriously, not only by employing 200 families in the area, but by taking responsibility in the area of education and food safety," according to Frank.
The importer is optimistic about the season. "Despite the weather the demand for melons is good. This means that Costa Rica and Honduras will arrive on a good market, because there are no stocks. The first melons in Costa Rica have already been shipped and will arrive in week 5," says Frank.
For more information:
Levarht
Postbus 67
1430 AB Aalsmeer
Tel: +31 (0) 297 386611
Fax: +31 (0) 297 386666
fblevarht@levarht.nl
www.levarht.nl