US-based Organic Alliance, a global grower and marketer of fresh, organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables, has announced that it had shipped its first container loadof organic Tommy Atkins and Ataulfo mangoes from company-leased orchardsin Mexico.
According to the group, the move further demonstrates its commitment to implementing its business strategy of vertically integrating its supply chains, as well as owning and controlling sources of production to increaserevenue and profit margins while reducing risk.
Organic Alliance received organic certification on its leased mango orchards in February 2013,after three months working to develop the organic production plan and identify organic non-toxic pesticides and herbicides for mango groves.
The company was able to be the first US produce company to import Mexican organic mangoes in 2013, staying ahead of its competition by two weeks.
'We are excited about this shipment, which demonstrates to the marketplace that we have greater control of mango supply and quality through our company-owned infrastructure,' said Parker Booth,CEO of Organic Alliance. 'We are now in a position to work hands-on during pre-harvest and control the flow from the field to the packhouse of our company owned product.'
Chris White, chief development officer at Organic Alliance, added: 'This is a positive turning point for our company and will have a dramatic effect towards the reduction in costs due to having long-term orchard leases, while enabling us to manage specification and volume demands with our customers most effectively.'
Organic Alliance indicated that they expect the project to generate US$1.8min additional revenue (1,200 tonnes of organic mango packed and shipped between February and September) and is currently working on FairTrade certification for its mango production sites.
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