"The quality of avocados doesn't depend just on the fruit, but on the effort invested in the plantation," says Dennise Alarcón, CEO of Interanza, who heads an Ecuadorian family business devoted to the export of tropical fruits, especially avocados, which has managed to gain access to demanding markets such as Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Faced with competition from countries with large productions, this company stands out for its focus on quality, working directly with 45 small producers to uphold homogeneous standards with key certifications such as GlobalGAP.
Dennise Alarcón (CEO) and Santiago Pinto (director) of Interanza.
To meet the demands of the European market, where fruit must meet strict traceability standards, Interanza has implemented a technical support system for its producers. "Our challenge is to get all producers to meet the same quality standards," says Alarcón. Thanks to this effort, the Ecuadorian exporter is managing to maintain its position in an increasingly demanding market.
The current season has been affected by drought, which has also hit other countries, such as Colombia, Peru and Chile. Due to the lack of water, avocado sizes are smaller, and in a saturated market, this has caused prices to drop. "Since there is more supply, prices are falling," says Alarcón, describing the current scenario as highly competitive.
Despite these conditions, the company plans to export 300,000 kilos by the end of the year and 800,000 kilos by the first half of 2025. With a focus on sustainability and offering high quality fruit, the company maintains an optimistic outlook, striving to gradually achieve "small and sustained" growth in a challenging market.
Interanza has also started to diversify its supply, recently adding Ecuadorian mango to its portfolio thanks to a strategic alliance with Durexporta, one of Ecuador's main producers and exporters. "There are similarities between mangoes and avocados in terms of marketing and seasonality, so we are strengthening our exportable supply," says Alarcón.
Interanza at Fruit Attraction 2024, diversifying its supply with mangoes.
The company is also aiming for growth driven by sustainability, prioritizing certifications that will open doors in the international market. "Avocados, like other fresh produce, depend on their traceability and quality. As our young crops mature, we expect a significant increase in the production over the next three years," says Alarcón.
For more information:
Dennise Alarcón
Interanza
Cumbayá - Ecuador
Tel.: +593 98 351 7895
[email protected]
www.interanza.com