While there was hope for a return to normal in 2022 following two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Salix Fruits, a global import-export company based in Philadelphia, has been faced with additional challenges involving the war in Ukraine, climate changes and strikes that have affected the fruit produce industry.
At the beginning of the year, Salix Fruits made a bold move when it announced that GrubMarket had completed the acquisition of its company, which has hundreds of growers in more than 20 countries and serves over 450 customers across 50 countries worldwide, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, India and the United States.
“We strive to offer superior service, reliability and quality as an importer and exporter of fresh fruit for our global customers, and also seek to further tap into a best-in-class grower network,” Juan González Pita, co-founder and chief operating officer of Salix Fruits, said at the time of the acquisition. “We are thrilled to learn that GrubMarket shares this same goal and has built out such a well-integrated and much-needed eCommerce and technology-enabled platform to bring fresh food to so many important customers across the country. We have had the same vision about the need for a global fruit marketplace for many years. By joining with GrubMarket, we can make that vision come true. We are proud to be GrubMarket’s first South American acquisition and look forward to being a part of the continued South American expansion journey. We sincerely look forward to joining the GrubMarket team and bringing more organic and farmer-direct fresh food to GrubMarket’s end customers.”
Regarding this season, while it’s been a tough start expectations for the second half of the year are optimistic.
“The season is beginning to normalize for destinations that appreciate the quality in citrus fruit,” said González Pita, who added that packing and ports are all back to normal operations now following a strike and floods that kicked off the season.
One highlight for Salix Fruit was its participation in Fruit Logistica, which provided an exceptional opportunity to meet customers, suppliers and friends, according to González Pita.
Currently, navel oranges, lemons and Nova mandarins are loading, though Novas will end next week. Valencia oranges out of the northern part of South Africa will start next week and Nadercott mandarins will begin in approximately two weeks. Late navel varieties will start in the middle of July. Right now, supplies are from the eastern cape and the northern regions of South Africa.
A source: https://theproducenews.com
