Costa Rican cassava and other tropical products, such as chayote, pumpkin and malanga, have been gaining ground in the U.S. market. There is a rising demand for them in supermarkets and they have a growing reputation. "Our products are very well positioned and recognized in the United States," says the president of Agro & Quality Fresh, Noelia Brenes, who reveals that this year they expect sales to increase by 2%. "This will contribute directly to the Costa Rican economy and benefit small growers in the country," she says.
"After the success in the United States, our sights are now set on Europe, where there appear to be opportunities in the ethnic products market. We want to skip the middleman and do things ourselves directly in Europe," says Brenes, who stresses that their recent participation in the Madrid fair has been key to expanding the presence of these products on the continent.
Jason González (Operations Manager) and Noelia Brenes (President) at Fruit Attraction Madrid 2024.
The logistics remains a major challenge. Shipping costs from Costa Rica can reach up to 6,200 dollars per refrigerated container; a considerably higher price compared to competitors from nearby countries, such as Colombia. "It's like a plane ticket: when you make stopovers, it's cheaper, but when it's direct, it's more expensive," says Brenes.
However, Brenes mentions that they have managed to optimize internal transport using their own trucks, which has reduced local transport costs and allowed the company to keep prices competitive in the United States, where the price per 29-pound box of cassava amounts to around 8.50 dollars.
The growing demand for tropical products in the U.S. shows that the market already recognizes and values the benefits of products such as cassava and chayote, known for their nutritional value and versatility. In Europe, Agro & Quality Fresh products are well-positioned in ethnic niches, such as the Mercadona retail chain in Spain, although the goal is to introduce them in larger-scale supermarkets.
Locally, Agro & Quality Fresh's expansion is not only contributing to the Costa Rican economy, but also responding to global health trends. Brenes highlights the importance of these products as healthy alternatives to wheat and maize. "These products can replace wheat and maize in a very healthy way, providing plenty of vitamins and minerals and few calories."
The company hopes that its processed products, such as cassava flour or malanga chips, will find a place in more international markets. Although they face challenges linked to climate change, which is causing the production to be affected by new pests and heavy rains, the company continues to innovate in its logistical operations and cost control, allowing for greater competitiveness in the international market.
Brenes says that "cassava is a resilient crop, and we have implemented solutions to protect the quality, including the use of biological control and renting additional land to increase the production."
For more information:
Noelia Brenes
Agro & Quality Fresh
Cartago, Costa Rica
Tel.: +506 8919 3030
[email protected]