Leading Spanish export consortium Grupo Hortiberia, which comprises nine major fresh produce growers in the regions of Murcia and Valencia, has joined the ranks of major Murcia-based export association Proexport.
Grupo Hortiberia’s managing director, Fermín Sánchez, said the decision to join Proexport was “very positive', adding that it would allow the company to “further strengthen” its sales of high quality fruit and vegetables.
“The best tool that we have to be competitive is the unity of the fresh produce offer through marketing groups, so joining Proexport, which is the leading association in the fruit and vegetable sector, will aid the development of our commercial activities,” he said.
Proexport managing director Feranando Gómez hailed the integration of Grupo Hortiberia as “good news”, adding that the addition of the company would give the association the “necessary strength and representation” to promote the regional fresh produce sector nationally and internationally.
Proexport currently represents some 55 major fresh produce groups as well as more than 120 small to medium sized companies and horticultural cooperatives that together produce over €880m worth of fruit and vegetables every year.
Grupo Hortiberia, which is based in Cartagena, represents nine fruit and vegetable producers who jointly farm 8,900ha in the regions of Valencia and Murcia, producing around 400,000 tonnes of products annually that are sold in over 35 countries.
