“As a company providing processing and packaging services to fruit and vegetable producers and exporters, if we are not able to reduce costs, increase efficiency while providing quality and affordability, it It will be difficult for us to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive market,” comments José Antonio Castro, commercial director of Procesadora Torre Blanca, based in Chancay, Peru. “And while there is no shortage of competition in the area where we operate, we continue to provide our services to many of the largest companies in the country, indicating that we are on the right track. »
Procesadora Torre Blanca grades tangerines with a Maf Roda grading line.
Founded in 2007, at a time when there were few fruit processing companies in the Chancay Valley, located about 80 km north of the Peruvian capital. “For the first two years, no one had experience processing citrus and avocados. We worked very hard. In addition, it was not easy to find and retain customers, because producers and exporters did not know us and were unaware of our way of working. Today we serve major companies such as Consorcio Productores de Fruta, Agrocosta Perú, Westfalia Perú, Giddings Berries Perú, Agro ISM and Exportadora El Parque, but also small and medium-sized companies,” explains José Antonio Castro.
The processing of tangerines and avocados stands out
The processing of tangerines represents 40% of the turnover of this packaging company in the province of Huaral; handling and packaging of avocados, 35%; that of blueberries, 15%, and the processing of persimmons, grapes, mangoes, pomegranates, and recently, pitayas account for 10% of turnover. The majority of products come from producing and exporting companies located within a radius of approximately 200 km. “This year we have attracted new customers who concentrate the majority of Peru’s exportable supply during the first quarter of the year for the processing of avocados. »
Grading line for conventionally grown avocados; for organic avocados, Procesadora Torre Blanca has another smaller line.
Besides being a service provider, it is also an exporter
Procesadora Torre Blanca exports avocados and tangerines to several importers in Canada, China, United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Russia, Central America and Latin America. “We are building relationships with local fruit growers. We export around 300-400 containers per year, loaded with avocados from January to April, and tangerines from March to October. We ship the varieties Satsuma, W. Murcott, Primosole, Nova, Orri, Malvasio and Honey Tangerine, the latter being very popular in the United States for its sweetness. W. Murcott is the most grown variety in Peru, mainly destined for the North American market, while the Satsumas we export are sent to Europe. And although W. Murcott is the most cultivated variety, it is Orri which records the best prices for the producer,” underlines the sales director.
Investments become difficult after four seasons of low income
The last four seasons have been very difficult for citrus producers in Peru, comments the representative of Procesadora Torre Blanca. “After the pandemic, farmers and exporters had to face very high shipping rates, while, over the past two years, due to the war in Europe, the costs of many inputs have increased. In addition, last year, crops suffered significant losses due to Cyclone Yaku and the El Niño phenomenon. As a result, producers barely have the income to invest in expanding cultivated areas, in new varieties or in technical improvements. »
Cold rooms at different temperatures.
China as a great opportunity
When volumes from South Africa begin to arrive on the European market, the Peruvian fruit, although of high quality, cannot compete with the lower prices of the South African supply. “The arrival of the South African fruit is the signal for us to withdraw from the European market. However, Asia presents itself as a big opportunity, especially once the new Chancay port becomes operational, as the transit time will be reduced by around 12 days. This time saving will benefit the lifespan of the fruit and reduce costs,” concludes José Antonio Castro.
Mandarins for Oppy.
Group photo in front of the Procesadora Torre Blanca facilities.
Mandarins are packaged like donuts.
For more information :
José Antonio Castro (sales director)
Processor Torre Blanca SAC
Calle los Vencedores 205
Torreblanca, Chancay (Huaral) – Peru
Such. : +51 962 878 354
[email protected]
