Chile offers retailers another source to supply the expanding organic market and meet year-round consumer demand.
Sunrise, Fla.-based Fresh Results LLC is importing organic blueberries from Chile for the third year in a row, said Eric Crawford, president.
“We started this season with our organic program that so far has got excellent demand and acceptance,” Crawford said. “We will continue to increase volume as we near mid-November.”
Crawford said he expects Chile will have more organic volume than last year as more farms are getting their certifications approved.
Blueberries
Mario Flores, director of blueberry product management for Naturipe Farms LLC, Salinas, Calif., said the company will offer additional volumes of organic blueberries this season.
“We already have enjoyed increases in the early season window and there will be even more available during the peak window of arrivals in late January and through February,” he said.
Eric Coty, executive director of South American imports with The Oppenheimer Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, said the company plans to market organic apples from Chile, as demand is strong and the protocols are straightforward.
Dole Food Co., Westlake Village, Calif., plans to add organic blueberries and kiwifruit to its existing organic offerings this season.
“We expect organics to continue to be a major component of our business portfolio in the future, and the current marketplace is pushing for this development in Chile,” said Bil Goldfield, director of corporate communications.
