Gustoo Tropical Fruits, under the leadership of its general manager, Manoel Motta, is a leading exporter of high quality Panamanian tropical fruits, especially plantain and cassava, which are delivered to major markets in the United States and Europe. Motta highlighted the company's ongoing efforts to expand its presence in Europe, while maintaining a solid base in the US market.
Gustoo Tropical Fruits has long been a key player in the export to the United States of plantains, particularly the FHIA 20 variety, and of cassava, both peeled and conventional. However, the company is now focusing on Europe, taking advantage of a unique opportunity presented by changes in global production. "Panama now has a significant opportunity to supply Europe, especially as other major producers such as Guatemala and Honduras are facing declines in the production. This opens up a substantial market for us in Spain and beyond," says Motta.
Panama's strategic location plays a crucial role in this expansion. With only 18 days needed to reach European ports, Gustoo Tropical Fruits can guarantee that its products will arrive fresh and with superior quality. "Panama's unique microclimate gives our plantains a distinctive sweetness, which makes them highly competitive in the European market," says Motta.
In addition to quality, Gustoo Tropical Fruits is deeply committed to sustainability and community development. The company sources much of its production from a network of more than 200 small and medium-sized growers in the Changuinola region. "When you buy a box of our bananas in Europe, you are not only buying fruit, you are supporting Panamanian families," says Motta. This community-focused approach not only ensures a constant supply of high-quality products, but also contributes to the economic stability of rural areas in Panama.
Gustoo Tropical Fruits is also working towards achieving a GlobalG.A.P. certification, which shows its commitment to meeting the strict quality and sustainability standards required by the European market. This certification is expected to further boost their reputation and help build trust with European buyers, a crucial factor in increasing their market share. They are already Fairtrade certified.
While the company is still optimistic about its prospects in Europe, Motta acknowledges that building trust with new buyers remains a challenge. "Our biggest hurdle is gaining the trust of European companies. We need them to see that we can consistently deliver a product that meets their high standards," he says.
Looking to the future, Gustoo Tropical Fruits is aiming to increase its exports to Europe. The plan is to participate in important trade fairs, such as Fruit Attraction in Madrid. ProPanama is encouraging the participation of Panamanian export companies in this fair. These events play a vital role in seeking contacts and also make it possible to showcase the quality of Panamanian products to a wider audience.
Besides plantains, Gustoo Tropical Fruits is expanding its supply to include products such as cassava and they are looking for new markets for ginger or lemons.
For more information:
GustooTropical Fruits
Panama
Manoel Motta
Tel.: +507 65 642 005
[email protected]
https://www.gustooproducts.com/gustoo-fruits