Chile’s Baika opens avocado packhouse in Colombia

Chilean fruit company Baika has opened its first wholly-owned Hass avocado processing and packing plant in Colombia, marking the latest step in its regional growth strategy.

As reported in Diario Frutícola, the new facility is located in the municipality of El Retiro, in the department of Antioquia –one of Colombia’s key Hass avocado-producing regions. From this location, the company will initially focus on packing fruit destined for international markets and managing commercial operations for the local market.

The project marks a turning point for Baika in Colombia, a country where the company began operations seven years ago and has since established itself as a leading exporter in the sector. The plant will give the company greater control over post-harvest processes, traceability, temperature management, inventory, and quality standards, and represents a more integrated approach to its Colombian operations.

The 2,000m² facility has four processing lines, and a capacity to pack 10 to 14 tonnes per hour. It also features infrastructure to store up to seven containers of finished product daily, enabling the company to respond more efficiently to the demands of discerning markets such as the US, Europe, and Argentina.

Baika said the new company-owned plant would allow it to strengthen ties with growers, better organise fruit intake, improve harvest planning, and move toward a more efficient operation right from the source.

Colombia’s Hass avocado industry has grown significantly in recent years, and the country has established itself as a major supplier to international markets. Europe remains a key destination, while the US represents a high-potential market for further expanding Colombia’s presence.

The new facility will also generate local employment. The initial phase involves hiring over 60 people for packing operations – a figure that could double as processing and export volumes increase.