Mexican lime producer Inverafrut established a sales office in the Dutch market over a decade ago. Changing market conditions, including high demand from the United States, have recently made shipping Mexican limes to Europe unprofitable.
Nevertheless, the Mexican parent organization decided to keep the Dutch office but with a diversified product range. "We operate independently and are free to carry any product from any country," says Jacobus Moll, who has been Inverafrut Holland's sales manager for four months."
"We're a true exotic specialist, primarily involved in mango and avocado imports. We still carry limes, but now from Brazil and Colombia. Although our parent organization is a Mexican grower, we get little of that country's product."
Jacobus Moll
"We certainly see future opportunities to further expand the assortment with sweet potatoes, pineapples, and other exotic products," Jacbous explains. Since December 15, 2023, Inverafrut Holland has been based in R&M Forwarding's new cold store at Dutch Fresh Port in Ridderkerk. "For us, it's ideal. We're right at our trade and can use R&M's repacking, ripening, loading, and unloading services. That leaves us free to trade."
"The avocado market, currently dominated by Colombian fruit, is good, with stable prices. Due to the situation in the Red Sea region, countries like Kenya and Tanzania are focusing more on the Middle and Far East. The extra six to 12 days of transit, with all the quality risks involved, makes exporting to Europe less interesting. We primarily focus on Colombian avocados, of which we receive good arrivals," Jacobus continues.
"The mango market has major shortages. Peru is the largest supplier at this time of year but has significantly lower production. Brazil has plenty of mainly small sizes. That shortage will probably end only when Central America and Africa enter the market."
"We sell mostly to countries like France, Italy, Spain, the Baltic States, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary," says Moll. "We'll soon be expanding to the UK market, too, with direct arrivals. Most of our customers are supermarket suppliers. We've hired someone in the UK and, thus, have a local, on-site representative."
"We're confidently looking forward to Inverafrut Holland's prospects. The company started as a producer-exporter, and we want to maintain that concept by working closely with our suppliers," Jacobus concludes.
Inverafrut Holland is an exhibitor at Fruit Logistica, Hall 3.2 - A52.
For more information:
Jacobus Moll
Inverafrut Holland
112 Peterselieweg
2988 DH, Ridderkerk, NL
Mob: +31 (0) 657 114 444
jacobus@inverafrut.com
www.inverafrut.com