89 - Eurofresh Distribution

EUROFRESH
DISTRIBUTION
Biosanz ecological fruit
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Biosanz is a family company which
has cultivated ecological agriculture
in Zaragoza since 1996. The company
produces peaches, apples, apricots,
nectarines, cherries and figs, and is
expected to reach 350 metric tons
in 2007. The company offers an ample
variety of packages in which the
cherry, apricot and figs in cardboard
boxes of 2 kg are of note, as well as
the other types of fruit in boxes of
4kg, and the small punnet format of 1
kg for large retailers. The company’s
most important markets are: Germany,
Holland, Belgium, and United
Kingdom, although it is also working
to strengthen its presence in the
Spanish market, where it is already
working with large retailers.
Biosphera stone fruit is growing
During 2007/2008, Biosphera intends
to extend its range by planting
450ha of apricots, cherries and other
stone fruit varieties, while carrying
out continuous research on other
crops. In 2006 they focused on broccoli
and melons, which will start to be
produced this season, and in 2007
the emphasis is on garlic, water-
Emilio Bravo
ApRIl
MAY
2 0 0 7
melon and asparagus. Their current
stone fruit production comes from
140ha planted in 2003/2004, and
this season, with 50 new hectares of
pear trees beginning to bear fruit for
this harvest, the yield is expected to
reach 2,500Tm. The Spanish market
absorbs 10% and 90% is exported,
mainly to supermarkets in the UK,
the Netherlands and Germany, and to
a lesser extent to France. Biosphera
has EurepGAP farm certification and
ISO 9001, 14001, BRC and BioSuisse
for its handling premises opened last
year.
Gumendi, organic
farming since 1992
Following an organic product turnover
close on 2,000Tm in 2006, this figure
is expected to be up by 10-15% during
2007. Exports absorb 35-40%, with
the main markets being France, Germany,
the UK, Portugal, Belgium and
the Netherlands. In recent years, Gumendi
has been paying special attention
to the Spanish market. In-house
distribution now covers the Basque
Country, Navarre, Aragon and La Rioja
regions, from where the rest of the
country is supplied by refrigerated
transport. Gumendi has been working
with organic produce since its foundation
in 1992 and all the products they
grow or distribute are certified as organic.
Their home produce accounts
for 40% of the sales volume. According
to Manger, Pedro Gumiel, “Our
aim lies in encouraging home production,
while at the same time trying to
offer a widely varied product range of
the highest possible quality.”
Hifas da Terra’s ecological
mushrooms and fungi
Hifas da Terra are a ecological production
company certified by the
CRAEGA, belonging to the vanguard
of the European scene, specialized
in gourmet mushrooms, medicinal
applications and products related to
mycology. Being an ecological production
company located in Pontevedra,
Hifas da Terra counts on a 5 h. extension
of mycological forests for the
ecological production of mushrooms
and medicinal fungi. It is defined as
a biotechnological company dedicated
to mycology. The company was
founded by a biologist in1999, as part
of a project in the University of Santiago
de Compostela, a project that in
recent years has enjoyed an annual
growth superior to 20%. Their main
products are gourmet mushrooms
from ecological production, dehydrated
and packaged, food supplement
capsules, medicinal mushrooms with
different health properties, mycology
kits for DIY mushroom cultivation,
and a nursery for selected chestnut
tree saplings which are resistant to
disease. At present they commercialize
in Spain, Mexico and Chile. They
are in the process of expansion and
the company’s intention is to find distributors
specialized in the Gourmet,
HORECA, and organic channels, and
medical distributors or sales people
for the mushroom extracts, as several
of their products have important beneficial
effects for the health. Most important
are the Agaricus blazei, with
orgaNicS/bio
notable results in cancer patients,
Shiitake, Reishi, Maitake, Hericium
for cases of Alzheimer, etc.
Kumix extends range
Fresh produce marketed during the
2006 season comprised 30Tm of
pears, 25Tm of apples, 20Tm of artichokes
and 100Tm of broccoli. Expectations
for the 2007 season suggest
that figures for these products will
remain stable while the range is extended
to include other fruit and vegetables.
They also supply preserved
peaches, corn, pears, asparagus,
peppers, artichokes, cardoon, fruit
salad, and other fruit and vegetables.
Their main export markets are France,
Germany and the USA. Kumix already
has ISO 9001 certification, ensures
total traceability and is investing in
the installation of 10 new cold-storage
rooms. Plans are also underway for a
new packing bay and a pear-grading
line.
EcoExtremadura
gourmet in bio fruit
With 100% organic produce and
an expert knowledge of stone and
pip fruit tree growing, these agronomists
act as consultants to other
companies with plantations totalling
some 1000ha while confronting
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