In recent years, the demand for agricultural products such as avocado and ginger has grown significantly in international markets, especially in Europe. This boom has not only benefited large corporations, but also small and medium-sized producers and exporters, which have managed to adapt to market demands and have had opportunities for expansion.
With a focus on quality, service and transparency, Masojo Corp, a Peruvian family business founded by Joseph Navarro and Sofia Flores, has managed to double its export volume in the last season, and now aims to reach 350 containers by 2025. In the words of its director, "success lies in the ability to meet the needs of the European market, a demanding market in terms of certifications, traceability and residues." This approach has allowed them to export more than 200 containers of avocado, ginger and turmeric in the latest season.
Joseph Navarro, director of Masojo Corp, at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta.
As for avocados, Masojo's marketing period allows it to export from December to May; a time when the supply from other countries is limited. This ensures a stable demand and competitive prices, thanks to which it can operate profitably with fixed-price contracts. "Prices have stayed within a range of $10 to $12 per 4 kg box; a figure that has allowed the company to operate profitably during the 2024 season," says Navarro.
Besides avocados, Masojo has strengthened its presence in the ginger and turmeric market, where the organic production has been recording sustained growth. Navarro says that Peruvian ginger is highly-demanded in Europe and the U.S., but competition from countries such as Brazil and China, as well as the informality of the vast majority of Peruvian ginger operations, bring with them safety and quality problems, which have affected the product's reputation. "Organic ginger is still in high demand, but Peru is seen as a risky source in Europe due to the bad actions of some exporters," says Navarro.
"Masojo differentiates itself by investing in rigorous quality controls, with every ginger container being inspected before export. The company plans to export around 70 containers of organic ginger and between 30 and 40 of conventional ginger by 2024," adds Navarro.
In recent weeks, the prices of organic ginger have exceeded $30 per container, while conventional ginger has ranged between $27 and $28 per box, although it fell to $25 at times of low demand. "These prices reflect market fluctuations, but we continue to focus on quality, which allows us to guarantee the supply of 100% organic products," says Navarro.
In terms of logistics, one of the biggest challenges for Masojo has been to guarantee reliable transit times. The Asian market, in particular, presents challenges due to long shipping times. Regardless of this, Navarro remains optimistic. "If the new port of Chancay allows us to reduce transit times, we would have a great incentive to continue betting on the Asian market."
For more information:
Joseph Navarro
Masojo
Tel.: +51 962 323 577
[email protected]
www.masojocorp.com.pe