The Colombian exporter Montana Fruits Fresh Produce is happy with the strong market demand, especially in Europe, for passion fruit (gulupa). They have experienced a consistent growth rate of approximately 30% says Natalia Moranth, co-owner of the exporter. The company also exports avocados from Colombia, and they are determined to beat the competition from other major supplying countries.
“Regarding gulupa exports, this year we expect to export around 70 containers to the port of Rotterdam, where the containers are unpacked and sold by pallets to various customers, primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, and France. Our crops in the Antioquia region have prestigious certifications such as Global G.A.P, GRASP, and Smeta. Our goal for next year is to increase gulupa exports by approximately 30-35%, as we firmly believe there is still a strong market demand, with more stable prices on the horizon,” states Moranth.
Establishing Colombian avocado
“Montana Fruits has witnessed consistent growth year after year in the world of Hass avocados. Beyond focusing solely on volume, our emphasis has been on ensuring exceptional quality to establish the Montana avocado brand as a true symbol of excellence. While Rotterdam currently serves as the primary destination for our Hass avocados, we are steadily expanding our shipments to the East Coast of the United States, with the Miami and Philadelphia ports being our key entry points. We aim to achieve an annual export growth of around 40% and explore new markets such as Chile and the Asia-Pacific region,” explains Moranth.
She says they recognise two primary challenges for Colombian avocados: “Firstly, enhancing quality and venturing into new markets, particularly during the "Traviesa" season when Peru floods the European market with substantial volumes, causing a significant price decline that renders exporting unviable during certain weeks. Similarly, Mexico pursues a strategy in the USA, particularly with the advent of the state of Jalisco's entry.”
The second challenge lies in establishing Colombian avocados as an exemplary sustainable product, capitalizing on the abundant water resources and high rainfall density throughout Colombia notes Moranth. “Notably, most of our crops are naturally grown without reliance on irrigation systems, rendering Colombian Hass avocados the epitome of sustainability worldwide. As a company, we have accomplished two significant milestones this year. First, we are thrilled to have obtained the prestigious BRC Foods certification for our Hass avocado and passion fruit packing plant. This certification is a testament to Montana Fruits' unwavering commitment to ensuring worldwide recognition as a premium brand synonymous with unmatched quality, safety, legality, and authenticity for our esteemed customers.”
“Secondly, we have expanded our packing plant's capabilities by acquiring a cutting-edge Hass avocado sorting machine, enabling us to increase packing speeds. In addition, we have expanded our cold storage capacity and established a new dedicated area and sorting line to accommodate other fruits, such as citrus and mango. Finally, our company's key objective is to diversify our portfolio continuously. Leveraging the expanded capacity of our packing plant, we commenced exports of Tahitian lime this year while venturing into cultivating physalis and mango,” states Moranth proudly.
Commitment to people
“We have an unwavering commitment to our people, employees, partners, customers, suppliers, Colombian agriculture, and social and environmental responsibilities. Despite our challenges, we remain committed and passionate, striving to elevate our nation's reputation and feed the world with our fruits' exquisite flavors and nutritional value. We are passionate about delivering quality of life and well-being through the power of fruit. We believe fruit can unite people, creating unforgettable experiences that last a lifetime. This is the driving force behind our love for Colombian agriculture that motivates us to rise and work diligently every day. As we approach our fifth anniversary, we proudly affirm that we have fulfilled our purpose, and this has propelled the company's growth through expansion, certifications, and the introduction of new fresh fruits,”
For more information:
Natalia Moranth
Montana Fruits
Tel: +57 310 415 5184
Email: nmoranth@montanafruits.com.co
www.montanafruits.com