Pineapple  exporting company  beats pandemic and expands

A Panama grown pineapple produces, a fruit that is sweeter has less fiber and acidity than that produced in other countries and contains up to four times more vitamin C than other varieties could end up emulating the country’s geisha coffee which is sought after by buyers around the world.

The MD2 Golden pineapple is produced by, Verba Odrec is owned by the Vergara, the family has continued shipping its products throughout the pandemic and expanded business without recording any coronavirus cases.

Four years ago  the owners sent the first wooden pallet carrying  36 boxes to Europe by air each with a capacity for 36 boxes holding six fruits.

The step arose from Verba Odrec’s strategy to emulate Panamanian Geisha coffee. that, although shipped in smaller quantities, get a more attractive price. Pineapple, sent by air achieves a better ripening that highlights its sweetness.

“The pineapple that leaves Panama by boat is very young, somewhat green. The airway guarantees a fruit with a peel and yellow pulp, as well as a sweetness between 17 and 18 degrees”.

Between January and June, the Chorrera based company has shipped 480,000 kilograms of fresh fruit to Europe earning an average price of $10 -$12 for each box of six fruits.

“The market was there for the taking,” says Hipólito Vergaraand  Panama has 35 weekly flights to Europe. “We try to emulate the local coffee growers of the geisha variety.”

After the first shipments, the company accessed a local credit line. Customers in Europe had the confidence to bet on fruit exported by plane.

“For three years we kept exporting between two and three pallets a week to a single customer in Europe.” But last year an alliance was made with a European company – Vergara reserves the name – with which they formalized the business of sending fresh fruit by air to a market that is gaining demand for multivitamin foods rich in antioxidants, to improve the immune system and fight diseases such as the coronavirus.

In the midst of the pandemic, the business managed to consolidate and its client portfolio includes buyers in the main cities of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Spain. They also market pineapple in Dubai.

At the end of the first semester of the year, the Chorrera company has managed to send 480,000 kilograms of fresh pineapple by plane.

Verba Odrec has not laid-off workers, or registered Covid-19 infections, to date due to measures taken such as providing transportation to employees, from their home to the production plant. To the installation of a supermarket in the plant, which supplies food and products sold by Panamanian companies. And the provision to workers of appropriate clothing against the virus and permanent training on biosafety practices.