The company Las Tres Piñas, based in La Chorrera, Panama, has found a niche in the export by air freight of premium pineapples, particularly the MD2 variety. Founded in 2020, Las Tres Piñas has grown rapidly, consolidating its presence in the European market through the export of high-quality air-freight pineapples.
General Manager Yaser Rodríguez says: "This is our first year exporting, and since May we have become Panama's largest exporter of air-freight pineapple in terms of volume." Despite competition with Costa Rica, the leader in maritime exports, Las Tres Piñas has managed to capitalize on its strategic location and the high quality of its production to enter the European market.
The company exports weekly to countries such as Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, with a final sale price of around 7 euros per kilo. Its approach has allowed the firm to stand out in a saturated market in which the product must meet strict quality standards in terms of colour or sweetness (Brix).
Yaser Rodríguez says that the biggest challenge has been matching Costa Rica's maritime export prices, given their larger production volume. However, Las Tres Piñas has found a competitive advantage in air freight, offering a premium product that, although more expensive, is well-adapted to specific niches in the European market.
Climate change has also played a crucial role in the company's operations. "This year has been particularly challenging due to the impact of summer rains, which have taken a toll on the production and product quality," says Yaser Rodríguez. Despite these challenges, Las Tres Piñas plans to expand its acreage to 30 hectares and to look into maritime shipping to increase its export capacity and reduce costs.
The company is also committed to sustainable growth and to making a positive impact on its community. The expansion of its production has created jobs in the region, and exports have become a significant source of income.
Las Tres Piñas has great prospects for the future. "Our goal is to reach 1,000 pallets exported by December this year, and to consolidate long-term relationships with our customers in Europe," says Yaser Rodríguez. Participation in international trade fairs, such as Fruit Attraction 2024 in Madrid (Hall 4, stand 4E17), is part of their strategy to strengthen their market presence and diversify their supply with other tropical products.
ProPanama has played a key role in the growth of Las Tres Piñas and other Panamanian exporting companies by offering incentives that facilitate their participation in international fairs, thereby helping them improve their competitiveness in global markets.
Rodríguez says: "ProPanamá is helping us in the commercial sphere, getting us ready for fairs and providing an advertising and marketing structure." He also says that his company has been receiving an "economic incentive by the government for each kilo exported," which has been key to consolidating its presence in the European markets and continuing to expand its operations. Such support, both in terms of logistics and international promotion, is vital for Panamanian companies to be able to compete effectively in demanding markets such as Europe.
For more information:
Las Tres Piñas
La Chorrera, Panama
Yaser Rodríguez
Tel.: +507 6895-1972
[email protected]
www.lastrespiñas.com