Colombia’s Caribbean Exotics is targeting new export markets in northern Europe as demand for exotic fruit continues to grow throughout the region.
Founded in 1986, the company is a leading exporter of physalis as well other exotic fruits like purple and yellow passion fruit, pitahaya, tamarillo and baby bananas which are produced by some 500 small farmers in Antioquía.
Last year Caribbean Exotics carried out its first shipments to Scandinavia and, says Alejandro Angel Manrrique, this market diversification strategy will continue in 2018.
“We believe there is strong demand for our fruits and our focus is on developing new products, packaging and presentations that tap into market trends,” he told Fruitnet.
He said the company faced a challenging European market last year as the mild autumn delayed the start of the peak sales season.
“In spite of this, we managed to increase our export volume, even though prices were lower than in 2016,” he noted, adding that higher volume was due to a combination of growth in existing markets and the opening of new markets, particularly in Scandinavia.
The company recently received GlobalGAP’s Risk Assessment on Social Practice (Grasp) certification, reflecting its strong commitment to the welfare of its workers and their families, Manrrique said.
