Frutas Comerciales S.A. is a Colombian producer/exporter of tropical exotics, such as physalis, passion fruit, granadilla, tamarillo and baby banana. Jorge Vargas from the company explains, "since the creation of its parent company back in 1992 it has always been part of the stature that the company should be ethically sustainable as well as financially. This may seem like a given in many cultures and lines of business, but sadly it was not back in the nineties, and still is not today. One of the pillars of the agricultural businesses in Latin America has been cheap labor, and many governments have looked the other way, being flexible when it comes to guaranteeing minimum working conditions for the growers."
A “community home” (special school for kids age 0 to 6 with government nurses for families where both parents work) which Frutas Comerciales helped establish in the small town where physalis crops are located.
Frutas Comerciales has had to compete in such an environment for many years, hiring all their employees and paying all legal duties, whereas the common usage has been to pay the employees "daily wages" which are usually between 60% and 80% of the legal minimum wage.
It is just in the last few years that the growing trend of Fair Trade has made the customers aware of such conditions. Nowadays, being legal is no longer a handicap, but an opportunity. Frutas Comerciales is Fair Trade certified by both IMO and Max Havelaar for Baby Banana and Physalis, which has greatly helped the company's finances and has strengthened ties with business partners.Far from considering this added value, Vargas would like to encourage everyone, from competitors to any other companies in different regions with different products, to consider the wider impact of these certifications.
"We are blessed with being from a country that produces such unique products. We would like to invite everyone to try them, fall in love with them, and support hundreds of families while improving their health and treating themselves with our fruits," says Vargas.
For more information:
Jorge I. Vargas
Frutas Comerciales S.A.
Colombia
Tel: (571) 4132823 - 4132786
Mob: (57) 3123403064
[email protected]
Skype: jivfrutas
