Clavet Perú, a family business established in 2003, is consolidating its presence in Asian markets exporting fresh fruits such as mango, grapes, and blueberries. Vladimir Kocerha, CEO of the company, spoke about Clavet's expansion in Asia in an interview during the Asia Fruit Logistics fair.
Kocerha, who has more than nine years of experience as a commercial advisor in Shanghai, is taking advantage of his knowledge of the Asian market to position Peruvian exports. "We focus exclusively on Asia. Our goal is to open markets in China, South Korea, Hong Kong, and other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia," he stated. The opening of the new port of Chancay in November will reduce the transit time of fruits allowing perishable products, such as mango and grapes, to arrive fresher in these key markets.
Clavet Perú plans to start its mango export season in mid-October. The company projects it'll export 30 containers of mango this season, mainly destined for South Korea. "We will export Kent mango, which is highly valued in the Asian market for its quality and flavor," Kocerha said. Clavet plans to make some test shipments of blueberries, a product with growing demand, to the Asian market, initially exporting 5 to 10 containers.
Clavet Peru's approach is based on guaranteeing the quality of its products. "Quality is key. We make sure to inspect the fruit at its origin and destination to maintain the trust of our customers," Kocerha stressed. Certifications such as GlobalGAP might be essential for the European and American markets, but the most important things in Asia are the homogeneity and quality of the product. "The Asian markets are looking for fruit with a uniform size and flavor. A brand maintains its reputation with consistent quality," he added.
Peru's fruit production faces climate challenges, such as temperature variations that can affect export volumes. However, Kocerha is optimistic about the growth projections. Last season, Clavet assisted companies that managed to export 86 containers of mangoes and grapes. This year, the company is on track to take on exports directly, strengthening its presence in the Asian market.
Blueberries, which so far have been mainly shipped to Europe and the United States, represent a new opportunity for Clavet. Blueberry prices in Shanghai's wholesale market have been impressive, reaching up to 34 dollars per box, which motivates the company to explore new routes for this product. "We are starting with sea shipments, but we're also thinking about air exports to more specific markets such as India, Malaysia, and Singapore," Kocerha said.
Clavet Peru's expansion benefits the company and positively impacts local communities. Increasing production and export volumes generates more jobs in the rural areas of Peru, where these fruits are grown. Kocerha stressed the importance of developing long-term business relationships with customers in Asia ensuring quality and mutual trust.
For more information:
Clavet Peru
Vladimir Kocerha (CEO of the company)
Tel: +51 9999-03057 (Peru)
Tel.: +86 1821 736 9570 (China)
Tel: +1 301 665 7707 (USA)
Email: [email protected]
www.clavet.com.pe