Within the company’s import business, the Chilean Ercolina Pear has become the star
Compared to the ups and downs suffered by stone fruit and apples, the Ercolina pear from Chile has consolidated in the company as one of the reference in the LC Group. “It has become one of our top campaigns, with a volume that increases year after year,” states Lorenzo Carrasco, Jr., executive from the company.
Furthermore, as one of the longest-standing apple importers on the market, Carrasco explains that the results of the apple shortage are still being felt. For this reason, the company has had to resort to different searches and sources to be able to supply its customers, such as consolidating Poland or new countries, such as Slovakia and other Eastern European countries.
Regarding next campaign’s volumes, there is speculation that this could be the opposite to 2017-2019, that is to say, many apples at source. “It is obvious that after everything that has happened this year, we must look to a relocation of the different agents, since due to the weak Italian offer, some French companies have entered the market that previously had been closed to them.”
The company is also consolidating itself as an importer of cherries from Argentina throughout the entire winter until April. Other fruit families where it is increasing its presence are limes, Peruvian tropical fruit (avocados and mangos) and grapes from all the different sources.
“Our goal is to position the company with families where we can become a reference, giving extra quality, becoming specialists and looking for flavour, such as with the Ercolina pear, which has already turned into an essential item on the distribution’s supermarket shelves,” Carrasco indicates.
La Pequeña Holanda, the farm belonging to the family, located in Arcos de la Frontera (Cadiz), has suffered the consequences of a very rainy spring, which has caused delays in some crops.
The farm produces all kinds of brassicas and carrots. Its main asset includes its exports to Europe. And it now has 45 hectares of ecological produce.
