Fresh produce grower-marketer Seald Sweet continues to develop its products and services to its customers and will be showcasing its core commodities at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit.
As well as supplying the full citrus category from around the world, the Florida-based group will promote its expanding grape programmes, as well as other commodities like apples, pears from its global network of companies.
Seald Sweet, once synonymous with citrus, branched out into marketing other fresh produce after its alliance with Belgian produce distributor Univeg, which dates back to 1998.
In 2008, Univeg took a majority share of Seald Sweet, transforming the firm into a global fresh produce supplier through its international network of companies.
“Being part of the Univeg group, it has given us the global reach,” says Kim Flores, Seald Sweet’s marketing director. “Up until 1998 we were primarily a Florida citrus cooperative. We recognised then that we needed a global network so we could have counter-seasonality. When we partnered with Univeg it gave us access to a global grower network and the ability to be a year-round supplier.”
Within citrus, which remains Seald Sweet’s top product in terms of sales, Flores says the easy-peeler category is showing the greatest growth.
“We’ve have had a lot of success marketing the clementine and mandarin category, especially the propriety varieties during the summer from the Southern Hemisphere. They are easy to peel, a convenient snack, and the later season varieties like Murcotts and ClemenGolds are extra sweet with exceptional flavour,” Flores says.
Over the last two years Seald Sweet has been developing a citrus programme from Uruguay after the US granted access to the fruit.
“It started with trials, then last year we imported limited volumes, and this year we continued to grow our volumes,” says Flores.
In the grapes category, Seald Sweet has also expanded its sourcing. In March this year, the group announced increased investment in its Mexican deal, which will bring significant growth to grape supplies from primarily the Hermosillo and Caborca areas.
“We are thrilled about this additional product supply for a number of reasons,” explains Seald Sweet CEO Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk. “Continued development and growth of this category has been an important part of our strategic plan. This enables our company to better serve our customers by meeting their needs in the grape category.”
The move will extend Seald Sweet’s Mexican season and thereby help customers develop their Mexican grape programmes, the firm explained. The expansion is also in line with Seald Sweet and Univeg’s vision to advance in the US and North American markets.
“The goal is to continue to develop product access and ties in North America, complementing our built-in global network with the Univeg Group,” says Sotomayor-Kirk. “Seald Sweet is the gateway to the North American markets for the Univeg Group, and we are very privileged to have these opportunities in front of us.”
