LATIN AMERICA: Hortifrut berry exports on the rise

Latin American fruit exporter Hortifrut anticipates sales of US$40m this year. This represents an increase of 8.1% over the level one year earlier. The company, which specialises in berry production, exports its products from Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and Spain. It also has fruit production in Argentina and Brazil, which serve the corresponding domestic markets. The company expects sales from Chile to reach US$24m this season, of which US$22m will be derived from exports.

February 6, 2001

Latin American fruit exporter Hortifrut anticipates sales of US$40m this year. This represents an increase of 8.1% over the level one year earlier. The company, which specialises in berry production, exports its products from Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and Spain. It also has fruit production in Argentina and Brazil, which serve the corresponding domestic markets. The company expects sales from Chile to reach US$24m this season, of which US$22m will be derived from exports.

The company has invested heavily in its international marketing channels in recent years. At present it accounts for between 35% and 40% of Chile’s berry exports. Management attributes its export success to the fact that Hortifrut was the first Chilean exporter to achieve US certification required for exporting to that market.

By Steve Lewis, just-food.com correspondent