Pura Fruit, a Peruvian table grape producer, aims to grow to over 4 million boxes (of 8.2 kg) by using technology to save input costs, while also paying workers 20% more. They also aim to have a mix of new cultivars come into full production during their two harvests per year.
According to Felipe Arriagada, board member of Pura Fruit, their company has been growing a lot in the last few years as part of a strategic plan. “We harvested 1.6 million boxes in the 2021 season, additionally since this year, we harvest some varieties twice in a year, so we already harvested in April around 150,000 boxes. We expect for this regular season (September to January) around 2.8 million boxes, for next April 2023 we expect to produce 500 000 boxes more and for the 2023 regular season, 3.6 million boxes. About 30% of our production is in its first year, 33% of our production is in its second year, so we expect to grow around 1 million boxes in 2022 and 2023 and then around 600 thousand more in 2024. Additionally, we have been investing in packaging and cold storage facilities to fulfil our customer demand.”
The main export market is the USA, taking around 40% of the volume, with Asia, Latin America and Europe receiving the rest. Pura Fruit is situated in Piura, north of Peru. It has planted almost 950 hectares, 20 hectares of which produce organic grapes. They have land available to plant an additional over 600 hectares. During the season Pura Fruit has more than 3,500 people working with 1,200 permanent workers. Pura Fruit has the licences of IFG, Sun World and SNFL, among others.
“We have been working over the last three years on an efficiency plan and it includes investing in new technology in Italian plastic covers that allows us to spend less money in agrochemicals - around 20% less than other companies in Piura. We have less consumption of water, some hectares need around 35% less per kilo exported than the usual production and, with a better quality production, that allow us to reach better prices than without this technology. Additionally, we have been implementing wage plans associated to productivity, where our workers earn over 20% more than any other farm in Piura and, for us, we still have a cost reduction of around 15%,” states Arriagada.
Pura Fruit also have strategic alliances and joint ventures with a host of companies in other production countries and in the markets where they operate. “Our plan aims to produce high quality fruit, a vertical integration of the agriculture business and the implementation of technology and innovation as a pillar of our company."
Pura companies include a nursery, Viveros El Tambo Peru in a partnership with Viveros El Tambo Chile, Pura Fruit, table grape producer, Pura Berries, Blue berries producer in a partnership with the Chilean company Agroberries, Pura Gesex, an export company in a partnership with the Chilean company Gesex, and Fruit distributors in the US, Summit Produce, in a partnership with Gesex and NAP, Europe, FGA in a partnership with Gesex and San Clemente and Asia, Fruit Color in a partnership with Gesex.
“We have been growing in all markets because our supply has been growing more than the average in Peru and additionally, we believe that if we have different kinds of fruit for different markets, then we have to be present in all relevant markets around the world,” concluded Arriagada.
For more information:
Felipe Arriagada
Pura Fruit
Email: [email protected]
www.purafruit.com