Salix Fruits has 5 core products that are supplied consistently to different markets. “We offer apples, grapes, citrus (mainly lemons and oranges), avocados and pears. The main markets we operate in include the Middle East, South East Asia, India, Europe, and North & South America. Our assortment is much broader than just the 5 core products, but it also varies per country. In the United States we offer our five core products plus kiwis, asparagus, blueberries and cherries. It all depends on the local demand and the market conditions. For example, we noticed a significant rise in demand of avocados and limes. We believe this is due to the overall increase in consumption of fresh and healthy products in the US, which has grown almost 4% over the years.”
“Our goal is to constantly supply our clients with reliable fresh fruit through excellent service. We have offices in each of the main sourcing countries. This means that, we have the advantage of working with locals. We work with sourcing teams who are in charge of developing and maintaining relationships with our growers. They also check and inspect products before shipment,” continues Juana.
She explains that besides offering fruits at a good price, they are also seeking for the freshest products with the best quality. “To make this possible, we take into consideration the type of fruit, the market of origin, the seasonal conditions and the fruit´s final destination. All of these factors influence our offer. For example, citrus can be exported from Spain, Chile, Mexico & South Africa. Currently in the US, when local production is not enough or up to par, we import the fruit from Spain or Mexico at a very competitive price.”
Another focus for Salix Fruits in 2016 is consolidating Mexico as a main sourcing country. According to Juana, out of the total US consumption, 85% of avocados and 60% of lemons are imported from Mexico. “These percentages are a result of the commercial arrangements between the US and Mexican government. Also, fruit from Mexico often has good quality, fair price and the supply is consistent.”
“We are hoping to triple our volume of sales in the US in 2016 compared to last year. We have expanded our US commercial team to provide excellent customer service and offer good quality products to our clients. We take food safety very seriously and our team is focused on complying with all inspections and certifications that are necessary. This goal may seem ambitious, but we believe that with these strong partnerships and the right company structure, we can become a key player in the supply of fruit for the American market.”
For more information:
Juana Elortondo
Salix Fruits
1070 Bridge Mill Ave, Canton, GA 30114, USA
T: +1 770 884 4088
E: [email protected]
www.salixfruits.com