One of Colombia's leading avocado players is broadening its horizons by adding limes and pineapples into the mix, with key export markets including the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean.

Pacific Fruits has appointed Mauricio López, formerly the marketing and sales manager at Colombia's top pineapple export firm Bengala Agrícola, as it's new pineapple division director.

The move builds on an avocado program that according to ProColombia figures made it the country's fifth-largest avocado exporter last year with US$2.8 million, representing about 8% of the market.

López tells Fresh Fruit Portal the volume figure is expected to almost quadruple this season with just over 8,000 metric tons (MT), up from 2,150MT in 2015-16. 

"For this year the goal will be to export close to 350 containers with Europe continuing to be the main destination with 95% of the volume. While we have had progress in negotiations for the openings of the U.S. and China, there is nothing defined yet," he says.

"But they are definitely markets where the company is interested in participating when it happens."

A new shipper in pineapples

López says the plan with Md2 Golden variety pineapples this year is to focus on the Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch markets.

"Our plan is to reach close to 80 containers of pineapples this year," he says, adding the majority will be sent by plane to Europe starting from June 1.

"Another stage will start on Oct. 1 when we'll finish our first pineapple processing plant which will be focused on maritime shipments with an operation of between five and six containers weekly.

"The company is starting with eight to 10 pineapple producers with an area of 450 hectares in the zones of the CAuca Valley, Cauca and Risaralda, of which 200 [hectares] are currently at full production.

"For the end of the year we hope to have programs with 30 growers and a prospection area of 700-800 hectares."

The new executive says fortunately Colombian pineapples are no longer an unknown product for European consumers.

"They know it for its flavor and quality, and soon we want them to know and enjoy the Pacific Gold pineapple, which is the brand we'll be trading there.

Weather conditions however have not been so favorable for the fruit this campaign, with heavy rains that have cut export volumes by some 40%.

"The winter we had at the end of the the year starting in October affected the quality of various crops and thus the export programs that had been projected from some areas," he says.

"Now as well in May we've had some rains that have also affected us, and so we hope the rains stop so we can increase volumes in the second half."

Tahitian lime outlook

The forecast for Tahitian lime exports from Pacific Fruits is even higher, he says, due to very high demand and the incorporation of a a new company into the Pacific Fruits umbrella that sources from small-to-medium growers, providing technical training and a stable business.

"We see the consumption category is growing on a global level. We understand that there are close to US$1.7 billion in commercial transactions worldwide annually with the product, and that motivated us to enter this business.

"We are preparing our first export container and we want to conquer the markets of Europe, the U.S. and the Caribbean, where we have admissibility for the product."

He said the first large campaign would likely feature exports of 80-100 containers in total.

"We want to help and strengthen the Colombian fruit export industry, and for that we are working with different growers and different parts of the country, where we offer accompaniment and sales programs where we guarantee product purchases."

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