Approaching its third anniversary, Pompano Beach, FL-based HLB Specialties LLC, is anticipating a significant increase in its mango volume as it transitions to a 52 week supplier.

The firm was founded in October of 2010 as a joint venture between Southern Specialties Inc. and HLB Tropical Food USA Inc.

Initially the resulting company focused on sourcing, growing, packing, shipping and distributing several varieties of papayas grown in Brazil, Ecuador, Belize, Mexico and other countries in Central and South America. It has since expanded into mangos.

Homero Levy de Barros, president and chief executive officer of HLB Specialties, had long been a papaya specialist when he teamed up with Southern Specialties to form this sister company to act as that firm’s tropical fruit arm. At the time he said, “The joint venture will automatically offer our clients a logistical advantage, since we’ll be able to consolidate more items than previously possible.”

Levy de Barros, who hails from Brazil, began his company in Europe 25 years ago, originally sourcing papayas from Brazil and selling them within Europe.

Fourteen years ago, he moved the firm to the United States as he continued to expand his sourcing and sales capabilities.

Now in the mango business, HLB sources from all the South American points of origin, including Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. The company also imports mangos from Mexico and Guatemala. Levy de Barros said the company’s business model is to work with grower-shipper partners in each country who are experts in their locale.

His goal is to continue to grow mango consumption in the United States, which he believes can occur as U.S. consumers become acquainted with better varieties. He said Europe is already ahead in that game, importing many of the newer, better varieties from Brazil and other countries. While there are some North American customers willing to experiment with the newer varieties, Levy de Barros said “we have to move very slowly” with these unfamiliar varieties. However, he is convinced that varieties such as the Palmer have a future in the United States.

“In Europe the Palmer is doing very well,” he said. “The Tommy Atkins physically looks very good but it tastes like a potato. The Palmer is good tasting and eats fantastically.”

He said its deep purple color should be appealing to U.S. consumers, who have shown an affinity for the red blush that accompanies a Tommy Atkins. “Because of its color, we call our Palmer ‘Ruby’,” said Levy de Barros.

In the meantime, he said HLB’s task is to source and market mangos and papayas, providing their customers with the best quality and service that they can. While the firm works closely with its sister company, the two operate independently.