Continental Fresh explores synergies to reach a wider customer-base

Author: 
beckman@theproducenews.com (Keith Loria)
Date: 
Wednesday, 11 December 2019 - 2:54am

Continental Fresh LLC has been among the largest importers of cucumbers and squash out of Honduras for many years.

“The Honduran imports are a great asset to the East Coast market and serve as an insurance policy for the sharp fluctuations of both volume and pricing of Mexican supplies,” said Albert Perez, chief executive officer and manager of grower relations for the Miami-based company. “Shorter transit times, longer shelf life and significantly reduced freight rates when loading out of Florida are some of the advantages for customers east of the Mississippi.”IMG 3964Albert Perez and Mayda Sotomayor CEO, Seald Sweet/Greenyard USA.

Still, on any given week, the Honduran program represents just 10 percent of what Mexico brings to the U.S. market. For this reason, the company has been looking for ways to reach more of its customers and offer a greater variety of items, which is why Perez foresees more opportunity in Mexico in the years ahead.

To meet this goal, Continental Fresh has teamed up with Vero Beach, FL-based Seald Sweet/Greenyard USA to expand its line of vegetable offerings. The two companies are no strangers to each other. In years past, the two have collaborated on a social responsibility campaign called “Be Fruitful” that collectively contributed time, talents and treasure to various charitable causes.

“There has always been a great friendship between the two companies, and we share many of the same values,” Perez said. “We knew that Seald Sweet had already been sourcing and marketing various commodities from Mexico, mainly grapes, citrus and avocadoes. Their solid reputation in the region brought them access to additional vegetable items. We in turn had an eager and loyal customer base in many of those items. It was the recipe for a win-win; more buying options for our customers as well as better results for our growers and partners.”

The new program will begin the first week of December with green Bell peppers from the Sinaloa area. That will be followed by cucumbers in January, with both items being available through April of next year. Other vegetable lines may be available as the season progresses.

Most of the Mexican product will be loading in Nogales, AZ, with some program business and spot market opportunities available in McAllen, TX. The Honduran volumes, which will include cucumbers, zucchini, straightneck yellow, butternut and spaghetti squashes, will commence loading out of Florida and New Jersey in late December.

“This season our Honduran products will be packed in a new label called Food For Humanity, which will highlight the company’s commitment to social responsibility,” Perez said. “Proceeds from the sales of this label will be donated to benefit clean water projects in Latin America facilitated by Blue Missions.”

Perez is continually fascinated by the industry, which allows him and his company to deliver healthy foods that feed the world.

“We take these opportunities seriously and try to make a difference every day,” he said. “Our growers know that we value their efforts and are committed to their success and our customers appreciate the way we handle their business.

About D. Otani Produce

In business since 1989, D. Otani Produce, Inc. has grown into one of Hawaii’s largest produce wholesalers, enjoying business with hotels, restaurants, local business institutions. We are also a major distributor to Hawaii’s retailers.

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D. Otani Produce
1321 Hart St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Phone: (808) 509-8350

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