Nobis Fruit Company sends first Ecuadorian blueberry shipment to Hong Kong

Nobis Fruit Company has successfully exported its first shipment of blueberries to Hong Kong marking an important step forward in its plan to strengthen international trade.

The shipment comprised the AtlasBlue variety and the fruit will be marketed under BlueStar, the local and export blueberry brand for Nobis Fruit Company.

The company has started the Ecuadorian blueberry export season by sending three pallets per week to Hong Kong. This volume is expected to double as the season progresses.

Along with blueberries, Nobis Fruit Company also ships products such as yellow pitahaya and granadilla with Hong Kong accounting for almost 10 per cent of the company’s exports.

To ensure quality and meet the standards of the Hong Kong market, the organisation invested in advanced technology, including the acquisition of a sizing machine. By improving fruit sizing efficiency and reducing manual errors, Nobis Fruit Company can ensure that blueberries arrive at their destination with the proper firmness and Brix level.

Luis Ponce, general manager of Nobis Fruit Company, said the achievement not only represents a major milestone for the company but also for the country, by promoting the presence of Ecuadorian products in one of the most dynamic markets in Asia.

“The introduction of our blueberries in Hong Kong is a great step that reaffirms our commitment to quality and innovation. Thanks to the unique characteristics of our Ecuadorian soils, we can offer a differentiated product in the Asian market, meeting the high expectations of our customers,” said Ponce.

Despite the challenges of high airfreight costs from Ecuador, the company adopted a strategy of taking advantage of unique trade windows and positioning Ecuador as a novel and attractive origin for importers.

The company also anticipates increasing export volume to strategic markets such as the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Spain and the Netherlands during the 2024-2025 period.