The Guatemalan finger limes campaign is performing well in major European markets, especially in November and December when demand peaks during the holiday season.
"While we produce year-round, Europe sees higher activity now, so we send larger shipments to Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK, and sometimes Spain. Throughout the rest of the year, our programs operate weekly in smaller quantities, with additional exports to Canada," stated Edilson Hernández, the General Manager of Prime Tropics.
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Hernández noted that despite rising air transport costs, "prices at destination remain unchanged from last year." Guatemala competes with Morocco, which has lower logistical costs, as well as with Spain, Australia, and the United States, although the latter have more seasonal production periods.
Quality has been a key differentiator. "Our citrus has very good Brix level and a post-harvest life of up to 40 days," he comments. The product is shipped exclusively by air and arrives in Europe within 2 days of harvest, which is essential for the gastronomic market, one of the main destinations for this product, known as "citrus caviar."
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Prime Tropics has expanded into new markets on several fronts. "We have acquired new customers in England, and this week we began shipments to Switzerland. The company is also exploring opportunities in Dubai and continues steady exports to Canada. This expansion has led to the creation of consumer-oriented presentations, such as 50-gram packs made from alternative materials to plastic, alongside the traditional one-kilo format for wholesalers," Hernández explained.
To ensure a continuous year-round supply, the company operates farms at different altitudes and has improved its agronomic management. "We have enhanced nutrition and irrigation, and we use weather stations to water based on what the plant needs," he explains. This strategy is crucial in a country with distinct seasons, six months of rain, and six months of drought.
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With their focus on diversification, Hernández confirms that they are already introducing new varieties: "Currently, we are producing green pulp, but we are already planting to have red pulp as well. This expansion of the range aims to strengthen Guatemala's position in a niche which, although small, is growing both in high-end gastronomy and among consumers who are beginning to familiarize themselves with this exotic citrus fruit."
For more information:
Edilson Hernández
Prime Tropics
Tel: +502 5700 0052
Email: [email protected]
www.primetropics.com
