Argentinian Brown Turkey figs exports this year started early December and for Pampa Store, the first shipment is destined to UK. Hugo Flores says: “We have been exporting the Brown Turkey figs worldwide for about 10 years with excellent acceptance of the variety by the markets and its end consumers due its characteristic sweet, delicious flavor, good quality, nice appearance and of course numerous health benefits for which figs have been known since the ancient times.”
First volumes sent in December
“Although, the early harvest initiates in November, the first fruit is normally destined for the local market until export quality and condition are achieved, normally by December 10th. Therefore, we start just on time to attend to the pre-Christmas and New Year´s sales and programs. Since opening up the 2019/2020 export season we have been supplying the European and Asian markets with a steady fruit volume. Provided good weather accompanies us, the overall fruit volume should increase as of early January,” Flores says.
Apart from starting out in favorable market conditions price and demand-wise, the production season of Argentine figs is quite extensive stretching from December to May. This, together with the efficient logistics, such as direct flights to Europe and Canada, and two-day transit to Asia from the airport of Buenos Aires, turns Argentina into an attractive origin for the supply of various markets.
Tendency for black variety figs
Following the worldwide growing demand and customer request for figs in general and for the black variety specifically, Pampa Store has been working on producing a black fig with a group of Mexican and Peruvian growers since 2015. Flores says: “The variety we have succeeded in growing is “Toro Sentado.” As a Black Mission successor, it is of homogeneous dark blue color, has the characteristic shape consumers look for, and has just a fantastic flavor.”
With the solid basis of three different growers in Mexico and a total of 250 acres under cultivation, Pampa Store has been setting solid basis for supply year-round. The company ensure that both fields and packing facility be GGAP certified and GRASP accredited.
Flores adds: “Pampa Store is proud to have contributed to the USDA approval of the entry of Mexican figs into the US back in 2017. Having been fumigated, fresh Mexican figs have been allowed to enter the US market since then. With this achievement, Mexican figs previously destined to Canada as their main market, have been allowed to go to the US. This has been a great benefit to Mexican growers and exporters.”
With the advantage of land freight and low cost, the current main markets for the Mexican fruit are naturally US and Canada, followed by Europe and Asia which are reachable by air in one and two days, respectively.
“Peruvian figs have been conquering the international market in recent years. Similar to Argentina, Peru produces from late November through May. With strong and flavorful fruit, steady supply and good quality coming out of Peru, this origin serves as a good complement to our Argentine and Mexican production,” Flores explains.
Adding new origins and value to product
Catering to customer needs, Pampa Store constantly works on adding new origins of products in order to help increase the production and supply window. Currently managing 3 different origins of fig production (Argentina, Mexico and Peru), Pampa Store offers year-round supply of their figs.
“We also contribute to generating various packaging formats. As a complement to standard 1 kg and 1.8 kg net weight tray of loose fruit, we offer 160 g and 240 g non PVC punnets. The 160 g punnet unit has been successful in Europe and we have found that as most retail chains prefer this format because it is exactly how they display the figs on their shelves. By managing the pre-packed formats from the origins, we are able to access the upper end market and award our growers with an extra profit for their efforts,” Flores concludes.
For more information:
Hugo Flores
Group Pampa Store
Tel: +54 (11) 4342-6621
www.pampastore.com