"Good market for mangoes, despite competition from summer fruit"

Three years ago Bert Westera and Manfred van der Vlag started Sweet Fruits S.A. The company in Emmen is part of the Brazilian group, Secchi Agricola, whose European headquarters are in Portugal. "At the moment, we sell mangoes and limes, supplemented by pineapples. We would like to expand to avocados in the future", says Bert.

Their main products, mangoes and limes are selling well at the moment. "The market for both products is very good. The mangoes are from Brazil and Mali, but there are too few to meet the demand. Prices are good at about EUR 6,50 - 7 euro. The market for limes is also good. I expect it to continue for a few weeks", says Bert. "We like a good market, but I would have liked larger supplies. Most of our mangoes go to Portugal, with very little left for our other clients. We sell throughout Europe, including Russia."

"In the summer there is traditionally less demand for mangoes, due to the competition of stone fruit from Spain and Italy. It starts picking up in September. Then the first Kent mangoes are flown in from Brazil, followed a few weeks later by Kent and Keith. Then the season really starts for us!"

For more information:
Bert Westera
Sweet Fruits, S. A.
Westerstraat 154
7811 MV Emmen
T.: +31-591-745111
F.: +31-591-745119
bert@sweetfruits.pt