The Latin American fruit and vegetables market is rapidly expanding. So much so, that Eduardo Jiménez Sánchez, General Manager of Imporfénix, believes that, "in the coming 10 years, countries like Chile, Peru or Colombia will gain plenty of international relevance." The greatest challenge, according to Jiménez, "is to be prepared to continue growing in the domestic market even after European and North American firms attempt entering it."
The Imporfénix Group is formed by Fénix, Jeicy Fruit and Greentropic in Colombia and Fresh & Natural in Ecuador. Fénix focuses on the formal and institutional markets, as well as on points of sale; Jeicy Fruit on market rates, the informal market and middle and lower strata, and lastly Greentropic complements the portfolio with onion, garlic and citrus and ships exports to the Ecuadorian Fresh & Natural.
Fresh & Natural has the same portfolio and market niches as the other three, and was created, along with Greentropic, to facilitate the commercial exchange of fruit between Colombia and Ecuador.
Jiménez explains that, "next to our central offices in Cali, which are in an apple-shaped building, there are six cooling chambers, each with capacity for 25 containers. Fénix alone is Colombia's largest importer. The group's four companies are handling 2.5 million boxes this year and for 2014/2015 they expect to increase that number to 4 million."
Imporfénix imports fruit from Latin America, the United States, Europe and Asia, complementing the "South-North harvest" portfolio and ensuring product supply all year round. It imports garlic from China, onion from Chile, Peru and Ecuador and the main volumes of seasonal fruit from Chile (60-70%), another 20% from the United States and 10% from Europe.
"After establishing ourselves in Colombia and Ecuador, there are other markets we would like to enter, such as Peru or Central America, but for the next 3-5 years we are aiming to consolidate our current operations. In any case, we are open to any proposals and/or alliances that may lead to mutual benefit," concludes Luis Eduardo Jiménez.
Contact:
Imporfénix
Luis Eduardo Jiménez Sánchez
General Manager
Calle 15 Nº 22-200 Autopista Cali - Yumbo , Cali. Colombia
Phone +57(2) 4184010
@: [email protected]
http://www.imporfenix.com
