Bilateral trade of fruit and vegetables between Bolivia and the European Union continues to grow. According to Claudio Pérez Lo Schiavo, of Agro Business International, EU exports to Bolivia reached a value of 1,660 million Euro, while imports from Bolivia to the EU totalled 1,620 million Euro. Claudio said that although these figures are not bad, export volumes should be even higher considering the products' high quality standards.
"For example, Bolivia produces very large volumes of 100% natural achachairu, grown without fertilisers or pesticides. There are also garlic, onion, aubergine and cabbage crops, as well as GMO soy, organic white and red quinoa, and of course, organic chia; a nutritious and essential product in the local diet, acquired by NASA for astronaut food processing. In short, there is a great diversity of products in Bolivia, as well as suitable climates for their cultivation; they only lack fame."
For their part, Bolivian producers work to reverse this situation. "We are collaborating with the Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade to promote exports, but Bolivian entrepreneurs are not traditionally prone to export, even though Bolivia benefits from the tariff benefits of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) that allows more than 90% of its products to enter the EU market without paying any tariffs," explains Claudio.
The EU is, in fact, Bolivia's largest investor, with 51% of the total FDI. According to Claudio, "what we are missing are the investments from small and medium firms with plenty of creativity, up to date technology and innovative ideas."
Agro Business International, a Bolivia-based company, is devoted, among other activities, to the export of a wide range of agricultural products, both conventional and organic, including citrus, plantain, pineapple, achachairu, peach, quinoa and chia, among others.
Some of the company's main objectives include the development of trade, projects, technology, specific equipment and other goods and services across the international markets, meeting global demands. It has separate departments devoted to certification, production, marketing and development of turnkey projects.
In what regards fruit exports, the company collaborates with associated producers from Bolivian agricultural cooperatives. It also supports companies in Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Central America, with a total of over 2,000 hectares and potential to reach 10,000. All the production is HACCP, BPM and Ceres certified.
At present, the main destinations for its products are the European Union and the United States, although negotiations are already underway to enter the Japanese market. Shipments are made by both sea and air and the varieties cultivated are grown to meet the customers' needs, with plantings and harvests agreed under contract.
For more information:
Claudio Perez Lo Schiavo
Tel.: 0059 173 127885
[email protected]
http://www.agrobusinessinternational.com
