It has been a 'crazy' few months for Spain-based Genuine Coconut since it won the 2016 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award, with big plans afoot to roll out in international markets. 

The company beat nine other innovations at the trade show in February with its unique 100% organic raw coconut water that can be consumed directly from the shell.

It developed patented technology to implement a ring pull directly in the shell - the same sort of mechanism as a soda can.

Speaking with www.freshfruitportal.com, sales manager Ana Molina says the U.S. market is particularly appealing but adds a breakthrough will take some time and careful planning.

"We are interested in many different international markets as the success of Genuine Coconut can spread around the world," she says.

"We would like to get into the U.S. market, but there would need to be quite a lot of work in this direction to make it a reality, but it would be a fantastic market for us.

"For now, we are increasing our production capacity and we expect to have our new production line based at our Zaragoza facilities, ready in August."

Molina says this demonstrates Genuine Coconut’s commitment by investing further in Spain and increasing production and shipments from coconuts sourced from organic farmers in Thailand.

"We are selling to almost all markets within Europe and generally sales are going very well and we’re very happy," she says.

"We ship the coconuts from Thailand on a weekly basis with atmosphere and temperature control, and as soon as they arrive to our facilities in Spain, we peel them and place the ring pull inside the coconut.

"This way we maintain all of the properties of the coconut."

www.freshfruitportal.com