Colombian fresh produce exporter Montana Fruits has partnered with a lab in Mexico to produce and export Hass avocado oil. According to Natalia Moranth, co-owner of Montana Fruits, "This present numerous opportunities for Colombia, and with our experience in exporting this fruit, which has conquered the world, we decided to diversify our portfolio through a product with a significant impact on human health."
She says they started with research and exploring opportunities into avocado oil as their exports of this popular commodity has grown. "It was then that we connected with OLEOLAB Mexico, a company with over 20 years of experience in producing high-quality Hass avocados. Together, leveraging our expertise in exporting this fruit, we established OLEOLAB Colombia. What motivated us the most to undertake this project with the Mexican company was the desire to offer various markets a plant-based cooking option, free of cholesterol, with a delicate and unique flavour, and rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9. Numerous recent medical studies highlight the benefits."
Montana Fruit work with a number of Colombian growers who are suppliers of the avocados. "This new product helps producers by increasing the demand and profitability of the oil extracted from their crops, making efficient use of all parts of the avocado. Additionally, the oil extraction process generally employs methods that minimize waste and maximize the use of available resources, such as biomass for energy generation. Marketing this oil to international markets diversifies Colombian exports and strengthens the country's position as a reliable supplier of high-quality products. This economic boost translates into greater employment opportunities, investments in agricultural infrastructure, and rural development, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In summary, avocado oil is not only a healthy alternative to olive oil but also promotes sustainability and economic development for Colombian producers."
Their key market is Europe, while the US market is expanding. Montana Fruits have year-round production of passion fruit (gulupa) and Tahiti limes. "To date, we have exported 30 containers of passion fruit this year, and we will maintain an average of one container per week to Europe, aiming for a total of 52 containers. Regarding lemons, as we are just starting and prices fluctuate greatly. We need to be careful about which market we send to. So far, we have shipped 19 containers of lemons to Europe and the United States. Although we have year-round production, the challenge lies in obtaining certifications, as many farmers complain about the high costs of the process and maintaining it. We expect to export an additional 20 containers of lemons. As a strategy, we are conducting trials of packing mixed containers of purple passion fruit and lemons to Europe, which is a good solution to serve several customers who buy both fruits," explains Moranth.
She says they are happy with the current market demand for avocados, that is stable. "The current demand is stable due to the volume from Peru, but we are confident that prices will start to pick up in September," concludes Moranth.
For more information:
Natalia Moranth
Montana Fruits
Tel: +57 310 415 5184
Email: [email protected]
www.montanafruits.com