Since acquiring Fazendas Labrunier in 2019, the Spanish company El Ciruelo has intensified its efforts to optimize the performance of its farms and improve conditions for employees and facilities in Brazil. According to CEO José Velasco, the table grape company has four key production areas - Labrunier I, Labrunier II, Brasiluvas and Vale Das Uvas - each with specific improvement projects.
In the last four years, El Ciruelo Brazil increased 40% in productivity and a 56% in export volume. Labrunier I has received investments in varietal development and infrastructure improvements, while Labrunier II has optimized packaging and expanded its cold storage capacity. At Vale Das Uvas, 70% of the investments have been allocated to varietal improvement, with the remaining 30% focused on increasing cold storage capacity and labour safety.
Brasiluvas has undergone major renovations, including the expansion of the packing area and the improvement of the cold storage facilities. In addition, El Ciruelo Brazil has led the introduction of plasticulture in San Francisco Valley, marking a significant breakthrough in Brazilian agriculture.
The Bravis trading company has also experienced this growth, with the move to a new location, expansion of cold storage capacity and increase in sales capacity, which has enabled it to offer better customer service and ensure continuous operations throughout the week.
"In the last four years, El Ciruelo Brazil has achieved a 40% increase in productivity and quality, and a 56% increase in export volume", highlights José Velasco. "Despite these improvements, the company has maintained a balance of approximately 50% in the distribution of its production between the domestic and foreign markets, ensuring that the Brazilian market is not affected".
"From a commercial point of view, the company has also maintained this balance between the domestic and foreign markets, increasing prices in both markets, supported by the high quality of its products", states Velasco. The brands that form part of El Ciruelo Brasil, such as Doce Uva and Frutaya, have recently presented a new image and other brands such as Vero Frutto are expected to do so soon.
These advances and development of El Ciruelo Brazil in recent years, have resulted in several awards such as the award for the best supplier in fruit, vegetables and fruits audit (FLV) from the GPA - Pão de Açúcar group or the recognition for its performance in the social category by the Carrefour group.
For the future, El Ciruelo Brazil plans to implement a homogeneous system to align operations in Brazil with those in Spain, with a focus on digitalization to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In addition, it will launch the 'Impulsa Project' in 2025, promoting the exchange of personnel between countries to enrich workers' experience and improve processes.
For more information:
El Ciruelo S.L.
Autovía Alhama
Cartagena, Km 2,5
30840, Murcia, España
T: +34 968 630 645
[email protected]
Brasil
José Lins do Rego, N.º 15
56.328-645 - Petrolina
www.elciruelo.com