Although Brazil has suffered occasional climatic problems, Pepe Vercher, general director of Bollo International Fruits, confirms that, "in general, the Brazilian melon campaign has been excellent in terms of quality and prices." This week will be marked by the arrival of the first melons from Senegal.
Bollo is a Spanish family business founded by José Vercher Serra in 1922. It started as a local producer and it gradually expanded until it entered the international markets for both production and sales. It owns headquarters and plantations in Brazil and Senegal and its more representative crops are melons and citrus fruits.
Bollo International Fruits' warehouse in Brazil.
The advantages of owning plantations in Brazil and Senegal
"We decided to establish ourselves in Brazil and Senegal for the counter season period for both geographic and climatic reasons. They allow us to fill the gap between the end of the Spanish campaign in La Mancha and the start of Almeria's," he explains.
According to Pepe Vercher, the main advantage of owning plantations outside Spain is that "by being in control of the production, you are also in control of the quality."
"The Spanish entrepreneurial culture and our melon cultivation methods have helped us reach such success that we are currently a leader in the Piel de Sapo melon market, mainly because we offer a quality product all year round."
Bollo International Fruit also owns what is probably the largest germplasm bank of traditional Spanish melons; "this allows us to be familiar with the best Piel de Sapo varieties, as well as with the best periods and locations for their cultivation. We always strive to obtain new exclusive varieties combining great flavour and the most marketable calibres."
Brazil: A country with great potential for consumption, but an overvalued currency.
"Brazil is a country of contrasts, and the southern area is an example of potential for consumption considering the large percentage of people with excellent buying power. Our product and marketing fit perfectly in a niche market of top quality fruit with a European flavour, which is why we are exponentially increasing our sales volumes and opening new markets for Spanish oranges in Brazil."
"Brazil is a country of contrasts, and the southern area is an example of potential for consumption considering the large percentage of people with excellent buying power. Our product and marketing fit perfectly in a niche market of top quality fruit with a European flavour, which is why we are exponentially increasing our sales volumes and opening new markets for Spanish oranges in Brazil."
The issues affecting exporters arise mostly from the currency exchange. The Brazilian Real, given the country's economic expansion, is becoming increasingly overvalued and it becomes necessary to work very efficiently to optimise costs and make a profit.
For its part, Senegal can become a great alternative in the future if the circumstances in Brazil change.
"Cold temperatures do not affect consumption in Canada and Norway."
The Bollo brand can be found all over Spain, "where melons are appreciated the most," said Pepe Vercher, "fundamentally in the central markets of Madrid and Barcelona." The brand is exported to destinations as far-off as Canada, but also to Italy, Croatia or Portugal, and from Rotterdam the fruit is shipped to many northern European countries. The brand is also slowly entering the Middle East.
The Bollo brand can be found all over Spain, "where melons are appreciated the most," said Pepe Vercher, "fundamentally in the central markets of Madrid and Barcelona." The brand is exported to destinations as far-off as Canada, but also to Italy, Croatia or Portugal, and from Rotterdam the fruit is shipped to many northern European countries. The brand is also slowly entering the Middle East.
"Cold temperatures are not a determining factor for the fruit's sale, as consumption levels in countries like Norway or Canada are huge in proportion to their population," he says.
According to Pepe Vercher, only the melons meeting the company's strict selection criteria can be labelled with the Bollo brand. "In the case of the Black Label Bollo Melon, demand is much greater than supply, but we refuse to label it as such if the quality is not on par with what is required. If it does not qualify to be a Bollo, it goes to secondary markets."
Pepe Vercher at his stand in the recent Fruit Logistica 2014
"At Bollo International Fruits we continue increasing our production volumes in a sustained manner. We refuse to grow uncontrollably, because we wish to maintain the standards we have held since the very beginning."
For more information:
Teo Herrero Carbó
Bollo International Fruits S.L.
Avenida de la Valldigna s/n
+34 962 81 04 76
+34 670801016
[email protected]
www.bollo.es
