"Our main goal is for producers to become self-sufficient"

Certifications are becoming a necessity for companies that wish to remain competitive in the international market, bringing them to niche markets that choose their purchases based on quality requirements which can only be guaranteed by means of a certification. In the specific case of organic products, certifications are likely to become increasingly demanding and necessary for companies that want to market their products in markets such as Europe or the United States. Furthermore, certifications can add points to a company's competitiveness, guaranteeing the quality of the product marketed.

As a result of this new trend of organic certifications, the Colombian company Calidad Agroindustrial S.A.S. has not hesitated to use its more than 10 years' experience in quality and certification matters to become more involved in the issue. "The international demand for organic products is growing every year; this is a fact, so we decided to adopt a new approach by specialising in technology implementation services and socio-business development for the certification of organic practices. In order to meet this demand of the European and North American market, we want to support both growers and producers and major exporters involved in the certification process," states Pablo Andrés Acosta, spokesperson of the Colombian company.

"The issue of the implementation of technical and organizational standards has not yet become established in Colombia and other countries of the Andean Community, but is a new trend that must be taken into account as a growing and very interesting market for agricultural firms exporting or wishing to export. We provide the full package of services, as well as constant support throughout the entire certification process, both for organic and other traditional certifications. We are constantly evolving, keeping up with any changes in the regulations so we can respond to our customers in an updated way," affirms Acosta.

"Unlike most consulting firms, our main goal is to enable the producer to handle the certification issues, so that, after a while, they can become self-sufficient in the management of the quality system, without the need to resort to the consultant for any changes. Certifications need to be updated regularly, so lack of information will make the producer totally dependent on the consultant. With our formula, the customers will enjoy a sustainable implementation process, allowing them to consolidate their position in the market, which is ultimately what you want to achieve with certifications," concludes the representative of Calidad Agroindustrial.