Argentina: Iceberg Agricola SA processing, freezing plant unparalleled in S. America

The Iceberg Agrícola SA company inaugurated a Vegetable Processing and Freezing Plant on Tuesday. This model plant, which is unique in South America, is the result of four years of committed work between the aforementioned company, producers of squash and asparagus, and the San Juan Agency for Investment Development. The plant, which had a cost of 20 million pesos, will generate 70 jobs.

Iceberg Agricola SA was incorporated in December 1993 and focuses on the production, packaging and marketing of agricultural products (squash, pumpkins, asparagus, and Coquenas seeds). Since its beginnings, the company has focused on the external market. Currently, Iceberg Agricola SA exports to Dubai, England, USA, Italy, Holland, Germany, Spain, and Canada. In the past year, their export volume reached 8,125,000 kilos, and it is currently Argentina's leading exporter of squash.

During the inauguration of the plant, the holder of the production portfolio, Marcelo Alos, said that "a plant of this nature is a source of pride and satisfaction for the province, it represents an important addition to the horticultural sector that has grown significantly in recent years. This model plant incorporates technology packages, will add value in origin, and new seed varieties using innovative production techniques to reach the finest markets in Europe." The minister added that "this structuring project is an example of the joint effort between the government and the private sector."

For his part, the Secretary of Economic Policy and director of the San Juan Agency for Investment Development, Leonardo Gioia, said that "this growth in production and exports is due to the professional and the serious entrepreneurial spirit that characterizes Iceberg Agricola SA and the horticultural producers grouped around them. It is also the result of the climate of confidence that was built between the private sector and the public sector, represented by the San Juan Agency for Investment Development, for the successful implementation of three structuring projects aimed at generating new varieties of squash; which led to new business niches linked to the potential for organic vegetable production and, subsequently, frozen vegetables ".

Thanks to the work performed and to the technical assistance for competitiveness provided by the Agency, the region has been able to improve the quality of squash, notably extend yield per hectare, develop hybrid seeds, attract new foreign markets, implement protocols of quality certification, and put into operation the Vegetable Processing and Freezing Plant, which is considered a model at the SME level in Latin America because of its innovative and technological nature.

The inauguration takes place in the framework of the program to improve competitiveness implemented by the San Juan Agency for Investment Development, conducting actions to improve the traceability of products, certification of new quality standards, the implementation of a strategic marketing plan to achieve a better positioning of the brands of the products sold in Europe and Canada.

Due to the implementation of this program, producers use high quality inputs, such as hybrid seeds with the best genetic development, and first class fertilizers. This, plus the better management of varieties and follow up conducted by a specialized agronomist engineer, has allowed producers to increase the productivity of the orchards.

The Minister of Production and Economic Development, Marcelo Alos, the Secretary for Economic Policy and Director of the San Juan Agency for Investment Development, Leonardo Gioia, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Agribusiness, Andres Diaz Cano, Rawson's mayor, Juan Carlos Gioia, and the manager of Iceberg Agricola SA, Diego Iglesias, were present at the inauguration.

Source: Ministry of Production