Agrícola Famosa

FRUCHTHANDEL SEPTEMBER 2010

 

TRANSLATION:

Contrary to reports about a difficult melon season 2009/10, Agricola Famosa had a very good campain, said Andrei Mamede from the export division of the country to the Fruchthandel Magazin. “Of course we can only speak about our own production, but our crop was very good.”
For this year the signs are positive for an even more successful season. “The dry weather helped us produce more, faster and with less fungizides. Additional to that we have developed a very elaborate production plan for different regions with different climates and weather parameters. That way we can choose, which region is best for different varieties at different times.”
This of course needs a great area for cultivation. Today the Agricola Famosa Group has more than 20.000 hectares of land available in the north-eastern region of Brazil. This was made possible by the purchasing of thousands of hectares farmland that were taken over by Nolem after this company stopped producing melons in the country. “Today Agricola Famosa holds 70% of the Brasilian melon production in its hand”, said Mamede. Apart from Nolem other smaller producers have also given up their melon production.
The marketing period for melons has started positive and with good qualities according to Mamede. Nevertheless the currency could turn out to be one of the biggest challenges for the Brazilian exporters. “Unfortunately the strong Real has minimized our returns in markets abroad. At the same time the negative effects have been balanced by higher sales on the national market. Additional to that the strong Real has made imports cheaper. That has helped us to increase the turnover on the Brazilian market.”
For the Export especially Germany has developed into an important market. “We deliver a great amount of produce there and intend to increase it even further. The market is very demanding, especially concerning the MRL, but since the adoption of our effective biological control program we have been able to minimize our MRL significantly.” This way Agricola Famosa is able to fulfill the various demands of the retailers in terms of quality and residues.
“In the last years we have invested millions of UD-Dollars into research and development as well as in infrastructure with the aim of securing a high standard of our products. An example of this is the extension and modernization of the irrigation systems, the purchase of five cleaning- and sorting machines as well as the improvement of our biological control program. For these measures alone we have invested more than 10 Mio UD-Dollars this year.”
Regarding varieties Agricola Famosa offers a great scope. “Especially the yellow fleshed watermelon should become popular with the European consumers because it combines an unusual yellow skin with a red flesh and a very tasty aroma.”
This year Agricola Famosa celebrates its 15th birthday. “During this time we have worked hard in expanding our business without loosing sight of our core values like respect, integrity, opportunities and responsibility. This has made the founders, Carlo and Luis Roberto two of the most successful business men of the country. This year alone we produce over 120.000 t melons, watermelons and bananas.”
The future strategy is focused on further expansion. “Apart from our melon business we develop other production programs. We are working on enlarging our banana project, which has been very successful. Until the end of the year, we will have 500 hectares and can export 30 to 35 containers (40 feet) for the European market.” The yield per hectare are around 3.000 cartons. “Until 2011 we want to increase the program to 1.000 hectares and strive to become one of the largest banana exporters of Brazil within the next couple of years.” Apart from this Agricola Famosa has started with the production of tomatos, passion fruit and asparagus.
Another focus lies according to Mamede on environment and social programs. “For years now the company has been a model for sustainable and social operation. We have a reserve which stretches over 3.600 hectares and where dozens of endangered animals and plants have found a home. Additional to that we have started with the certification for the Fair Trade program. This will give us a transparent opportunity for helping people.”