"At the moment we are working with the Fuerte and Bacon varieties and we just started with the Hass, the most important avocado in Europe, "explains Kenneth Meijer, Sales Manager of Natural Tropic S.L. "This year we are mainly harvesting smaller sizes, between 26 and 32, although we still also have the standard sizes, from 12 to 24."
The intense heat during September and October and the latest heavy rains had an impact on sizes. Additionally, as Kenneth says, "the trees have too much fruit, so the fruit is unable to acquire enough size."
The UK and Scandinavia demand smaller sizes, but "they will be a little harder to introduce in other markets, even if the quality is optimal," he explains.
Located in Malaga, Spain, Natural Tropic S.L. grows, packs and exports its own avocados and mangoes to every country in Europe, Eastern Europe and also South Africa, and now they are trying to enter the Russian market, "a market in transition. Due to its weather, Malaga is one of the few suitable locations for the growing of this kind of fruits in Spain," explains Kenneth. It is worth mentioning that 30% of the firm's production is certified as Organic.
Israel competes strongly with the Fuerte and Bacon varieties due to their low prices. "The main advantage of Spanish avocados against the Israeli or Chilean in the European market is quality, as due to proximity and logistics, the product is fresher. Spanish avocados tend to be more profitable for European importers," affirms Kenneth, although "coordination between exporters and traders in Spain could improve."
As for the Hass variety, it is obvious that its consumption continues to grow compared to other varieties. "In Germany, for example, the variety has been hard to introduce due to the dark appearance it has when ripe, besides the fact that Hass means Hate in German. Now they are realising that their taste is more intense than that of other varieties and consumption is growing strongly."
The firm packs its avocados in boxes, cardboard and nets, especially in 4 kg boxes, with the brand NATURAL TROPIC, always adapting to customers' preferences.
According to Kenneth, the marketing in Spanish supermarkets could improve when it comes to price tagging. Normally you find signs with prices between 3.60 and 4 Euro per kg. In the Netherlands, for example, they sell them at 1 Euro for two pieces, which is more appealing, as it does not seem as expensive."
Natural Tropic is a young firm, as it has only been in the market for 4 years. "Although we have not been here long, we are very pleased with the firm's growth trajectory thanks to the increasing consumption of avocados; a trend which we expect to continue in the next few years," concludes Kenneth Meijer. "It is a very nutritious fruit; a true "bomb" of minerals, vitamins and essential oils for our body."
For more information, contact:
Kenneth Meijer (Sales Manager)
NATURAL TROPIC S.L.
C/Juan Gris 20 P.I. La Pañoleta. Vélez-Málaga. Spain
T +34 952507709
M +34647166401
[email protected]
www.naturaltropic.es
Kenneth Meijer (Sales Manager)
NATURAL TROPIC S.L.
C/Juan Gris 20 P.I. La Pañoleta. Vélez-Málaga. Spain
T +34 952507709
M +34647166401
[email protected]
www.naturaltropic.es