Frozen vegetables offer an opportunity to broaden the offer and respond to the demand for easy-to-use products with a longer shelf life.
For Costa Rica-based Sema Foods, venturing into exporting frozen vegetables has been a learning process. "Exporting fresh and frozen products are two completely different industries. We had to start from scratch when we decided to export frozen products. The processing is different and you have to handle the product more delicately. The freezing process requires cutting the product into specific shapes, such as chunks, tidbits, or slices. The product is then packed in 10-kilogram boxes for distribution," stated Pablo Ballestero, the company's manager. Making this change required investing in infrastructure and obtaining certifications to guarantee the quality of the final product.
"Our biggest advantage is that the product hardly loses any taste or nutritional value after thawing. In addition, our carrots are grown at high altitude, which ensures a better taste and a higher Brix value," Ballestero stated.
The company has been active in the market for nine years and has more than twenty years of experience in the sector. It exports carrots, cabbage, beets, broccoli, malanga, cassava, sugar cane, pumpkins, and bananas. Sema Foods' flagship product is its carrots. They are mainly exported to the Caribbean, with a volume of eight containers per week.
The company has Primus GFS, Kosher, and BASC certifications, and is working to get the BRC certification. "In addition to certifications, we implement post-harvest management to ensure that the product arrives at its destination in optimal conditions," Ballestero said.
Sema Foods aims to expand its market with roots and tubers, especially ginger and cassava. In addition, it is working to strengthen exports of frozen products, such as carrots, onions, and pineapples, to European markets, including England, Germany, and Spain. "We have good expectations and continue to learn. The rising prices of certain products and high production costs are a challenge. That's why we constantly look for more efficient and cost-saving logistics solutions," Ballestero added.
"The company offers different presentations and packaging sizes adapted to the specific needs of its customers, ensuring the freshness and quality of our products throughout the export process. We focus on maintaining quality through certifications and rigorous in-plant processes to guarantee that the products meet the required standards," Ballestero stressed.
For more information:
Pablo Ballestero
Sema Foods
Costa Rica
Tel:+(506) 8706-3497
Email: pabloballestero@semafoodscr.com
www.semafoodscr.com