"Our imports of melons from Costa Rica are mainly concentrated during January, February, March and April," reports Alessandro Canalella (in the photo), CEO of Simba.
Transportation on board of the Cala Rossi, the ships owned by the group, lasts 14 days. "All of the ships are equipped with temperature controlled to the tenth of a degree, disembarks are quick and the cold chain is maintained at every stage. The melons, which are marketed by Simba in the Southern Mediterranean, arrive directly in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Each year, we import and commercialize approximately 1,400 tons of produce."
"At the moment we are not dealing with organic or fair trade products, though all of our producers have the GLOBAL G.A.P. certification, so environmental impact and the use of chemicals are limited and the health and safety of workers and of animals are guaranteed."
Produce imported from Costa Rica is then distributed all over Europe, mainly in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. The sales channels for counter-seasonal melons are mass retailing as well as traditional channels, which buy 60% of the produce. Products are sold under the brands of producers from Costa Rica, Delicia in particular.
"Just like for fruit and vegetables in general, demand for counter-seasonal has decreased with respect to 2012. Prices are stable though less produce has been imported and commercialized."
The situation in Costa Rica
The situation in Costa Rica
As reported by the company, the difficult market situation, which influenced the campaigns, caused many problems to melon producers in Costa Rica.
On top of the commercial problem, producers had to deal with increasing production costs because of an increase in the value of money, of the energy tariffs and of labour costs.
Therefore, a reorganization started in 2012 leading to the reduction of production areas and thus to less produce available. This year the same trend has been confirmed.
Contacts:
Simba S.p.a.
Tel.: +39 019 28912
Fax: +39 019 858121
Simba S.p.A. Profile
The company, with branches in Italy, Costa Rica and Colombia, has been importing exotic fruit for over 35 years with a turnover of around €200 million. As of 2012, it also distributes bananas and pineapples under the "Fratelli Orsero" brand all over the Mediterranean basins, managing the whole production chain. "Fratelli Orsero" in the expression of the tradition and passion of a great Italian family business for high quality products.
Simba is part of the GF Group S.P.A., an international leading group in Mediterranean Europe for the import and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables and which now also deals with the production and export of fruit and vegetables, harbour terminals, sea and road transports, services and real estate. With a €960 million turnover and more than 3,500 employees, it has branches in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Costa Rica, Colombia and Argentina.
