Under the direction of Jesús Valentín and his inseparable partner Carlos Fernández, Grupo IREN has positioned itself as a leader in the organic banana supply chain, with Latin American production delivered to the most demanding markets in Europe and, to a lesser extent, to the United States. With key production sites in Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, the company specializes in bananas certified under standards such as Organic, Fairtrade, Demeter and Naturland.
"The balance between production and marketing is essential for us," says Valentin. "Our diversified production network allows us to combine crops in the Caribbean and the Pacific and offer multi-origin solutions, which helps mitigate the potential impact on the production of climatic and social disruptions in each region." Grupo IREN is currently exporting more than 55 containers per week, exceeding one million boxes per year, with Ecuador leading in terms of volume.
Market stability and demand for specialized certifications
There's stability in the organic banana market, but with a growing demand for certifications that provide added value. "Certifications such as Naturland, Bioland, Regenerative Agriculture, Demeter... are becoming more important in mature markets such as Germany, driven by the interest of consumers in products that promote biodiversity and social responsibility," says Valentín. However, price remains the main challenge: "We are constantly working on the challenge of maintaining a balance between sustainable production and market demand."
Innovation in the face of climatic and phytosanitary challenges
Faced with the threat of climate change and phytosanitary issues such as R4T and moko, Grupo IREN has implemented biosecurity programs in Ecuador and Peru in partnership with the German GIZ Corporation. "We are constantly monitoring and training our producers so that they will adopt better agricultural practices, thereby ensuring both the quality and sustainability of our products," says Valentín.
Commitment to sustainability and local communities
Grupo IREN is not only facing the sector's challenges, but moving forward with a clear vision: to improve productivity and promote biodiversity, prioritizing both the protection of the environment and the development of the local communities where it operates. "Our goal is to provide solutions to the entire value chain, contributing to the economic development of producing countries and strengthening our commitment to environmental sustainability," says Valentín.
For more information:
Jesús Valentín, CEO
Grupo IREN
Tel.: +34 661 256 690
[email protected]
www.grupoiren.com