Aquaris BV, a distributor of fresh produce based in Holland, has partnered with Customlogistica S.A. to provide European customers with a more streamlined way to import produce from South America.Juan Carlos Zuloaga, director of Aquaris, said the partnership will add to the portfolio of products Aquaris already offers.
"Aquaris is the official European distributor of different brands, like Lulita, for Cavendish bananas from Ecuador" he said. What the partnership will provide, according to Zuloaga, is a wider breadth of fruit that Aquaris can provide to European customers, along with exceptional quality.
"Customlogistica will be in charge of ensuring a high level of quality from production areas in Ecuador," he said. "Aquaris, on the other hand, will be responsible for the success of the rest of the value chain in order to deliver the best results possible to our customers. Together we'll distribute Cavendish bananas, Bio bananas, plantains, papayas, pineapples and cassavas under the Lulita brand." That marriage of quality with efficient transportation is what Zuloaga believes makes the partnership so promising, but he's also excited because the deal is a homecoming of sorts."I'm Ecuadorian," he said. "I was born in Guayaquil and part of my family comes from Puerto Bolivar in Machala, an area in Ecuador renowned for its banana production." He believes that familiarity with the growing regions in Ecuador, coupled with a decade of experience in the European produce industry, is another reason they can provide customers with exceptional value.
"I understand both cultures and both markets," he said. "Both we and Customlogistica, down to every worker in our companies, share the same goals and point of view." That synthesis of vision, quality and logistics is what he believes makes their partnership special.
"All of this allows us to secure a crystal clear business relationship with our producers in Ecuador, as well as Europe and Asia."