Three years ago, Exotifruit EU began as a fresh fruit and vegetable importer/exporter in the Netherlands. Since then, this fledgling company has developed considerably. Founder Boy Stuijfzand recently moved to Spain to start a company branch there. "That's a wonderful step for us. Boy is near the products and can visit all the Spanish suppliers to inspect the products. We can supply our customers - inside and outside Europe - directly from Spain," says sales manager Melvin Middelham.
Exotifruit EU specializes in year-round citrus. "We import the whole package from Spain, Argentina, and South Africa. We also have Brazilian, Mexican, and Colombian limes year-round. Most of that's conventional, but we want to start bringing continuity to our organic range soon. Plus, we offer ginger from China and Brazil and bananas from the Dominican Republic. We, therefore, have a nice package with which to make headway."
Boy and Melvin at Fruit Attraction in Madrid
Exotifruit has a niche product - Spanish Chocolade Navels - with which it has recently distinguished itself. "Not nearly everyone has this exclusive item in-house. Customers know they can get this from us, giving us a great opportunity to market the rest of our assortment. The new Chocolate Navels season begins around December 10," Melvin says.
"The current citrus market is quite unique. Everything is super expensive. Even the Spanish are charging more money for their products. I've never seen lemon purchasing prices heading toward €23. Transport prices are also all far higher. Fortunately, sales remain good, for now."
Exotifruit mainly serves wholesalers throughout Europe, like Scandinavia, Poland, Lithuania, France, and Germany. In England, the company also supplies retail. "We're proud of our recent strides and hope to grow even more in the coming years. To that end, we're looking for salespeople, for example, for the German market. But most importantly, we're building a stable company known for its product's continuity and quality," Melvin concludes.
For more information:
Melvin Middelham
Exotifruit EU
Tel.: +31 (0) 610 846 288
Email: Melvin@exotifruitEU.com