UK fresh produce importer-distributor Mack has revealed to Eurofruit that it has received its first samples of Colombian pineapples from Savannah Corp in a bid to complement traditional supplies from Costa Rica, and support the growth of its retailer programmes.
The pineapple deal will be handled by Matt Smith, the firm’s newly-appointed commercial manager for bananas and pineapples, who takes over the responsibility from Elliot Mantle who recently left the business.
Mack already has a strong relationship with Colombian banana grower Banafrut, with whom the group has steadily increased its business on the back of its growing UK retailer programmes and expanding ripening capacity.
This relationship has ultimately led to the opportunity to procure pineapples from Colombia, in addition to Mack’s more traditional source of Costa Rica, the company told Eurofruit.
“It’s some time since we opened discussions about the possibility of selling pineapples from Colombia,” explained Smith, who Mack said has considerable years of experience, with a strong product-focused, technical background.
“We’re really hopeful that we will be able to begin commercial supply, but there’s inevitably a learning curve to follow and Savannah Corp need to move effectively in the competitive market.
“We think the groundwork is in place and the early signs are very promising indeed. Mack is very well placed to work in partnership with Savannah Corp to market their offer in the UK.”
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