First container of greenhouse tomatoes exported from Central America to U.S.
First container of greenhouse tomatoes exported from Central America to U.S.
On Nov. 24, for the first time ever, a container of greenhouse tomatoes was exported from Central America to the United States, according to Francisco Viteri, president of Agropecuaria Popoy?n S.A. and La Carreta in Guatemala City.
The first container was produced at Chirioj Farm in San Raymundo, Guatemala, and packed at La Carreta Farm's packing facility in El Jocotillo, Guatemala. The receiving importer in the United States was Del Monte Fresh Produce in Coral Gables, FL, according to Mr. Viteri.
"We have come a long way," he told The Produce News Nov. 29. "Looking back five years, a group of tomato and pepper growers formed [the Federaci?n de Asociaciones Agr?colas de Guatemala], and worked together with Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture and the [U.S. Department of Agriculture and Gremial de Exportadores de Guatemala] to grant Central America permission to export peppers and tomatoes to the U.S. market. Finally this year, FASAGUA's dream came true and both the rule for exporting tomatoes and peppers were published, making it official."
He continued, "For this first container, the process started three months ago, where different greenhouses had to go through a very strict monitoring process and certification by [Guatemala's Programa Integral de Protecci?n Agr?cola y Ambiental], ensuring the absence of fruit flies near the greenhouse and inside, as well as the use of Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices. Once all greenhouses were certified, harvest of tomatoes started and they were taken to the packing plant. Through the whole process, we had a member of PIPAA supervising the process. Tomatoes where then selected by size and color and washed with chlorine water. After that, each box was hand-packed in 25-pound boxes."
Due to Guatemala's geographical location, he said, "We are convinced that we can offer U.S. consumers high-quality fresh greenhouse tomatoes. Guatemala's window will be concentrated during winter months, when our tropical weather permits us to produce excellent-quality greenhouse tomatoes, having no effect on U.S. producers. Guatemalan tomatoes will offer excellent-quality tomatoes, especially to the southeastern and Gulf markets, where our tomatoes can be in the customers' hands in less than 72 hours."
Mr. Viteri said, "These first greenhouse tomatoes represent a big opportunity for future growth and development for tomatoes and pepper producers, creating more jobs and attracting local and foreign investment to this activity."
He noted, "In the name of all greenhouse tomato producers, we would like to give special thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture in Guatemala, together with PIPAA. We would like to give special thanks to the USDA for all the support in making the exports of Guatemalan tomatoes a reality."
The first container was produced at Chirioj Farm in San Raymundo, Guatemala, and packed at La Carreta Farm's packing facility in El Jocotillo, Guatemala. The receiving importer in the United States was Del Monte Fresh Produce in Coral Gables, FL, according to Mr. Viteri.
"We have come a long way," he told The Produce News Nov. 29. "Looking back five years, a group of tomato and pepper growers formed [the Federaci?n de Asociaciones Agr?colas de Guatemala], and worked together with Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture and the [U.S. Department of Agriculture and Gremial de Exportadores de Guatemala] to grant Central America permission to export peppers and tomatoes to the U.S. market. Finally this year, FASAGUA's dream came true and both the rule for exporting tomatoes and peppers were published, making it official."
He continued, "For this first container, the process started three months ago, where different greenhouses had to go through a very strict monitoring process and certification by [Guatemala's Programa Integral de Protecci?n Agr?cola y Ambiental], ensuring the absence of fruit flies near the greenhouse and inside, as well as the use of Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices. Once all greenhouses were certified, harvest of tomatoes started and they were taken to the packing plant. Through the whole process, we had a member of PIPAA supervising the process. Tomatoes where then selected by size and color and washed with chlorine water. After that, each box was hand-packed in 25-pound boxes."
Due to Guatemala's geographical location, he said, "We are convinced that we can offer U.S. consumers high-quality fresh greenhouse tomatoes. Guatemala's window will be concentrated during winter months, when our tropical weather permits us to produce excellent-quality greenhouse tomatoes, having no effect on U.S. producers. Guatemalan tomatoes will offer excellent-quality tomatoes, especially to the southeastern and Gulf markets, where our tomatoes can be in the customers' hands in less than 72 hours."
Mr. Viteri said, "These first greenhouse tomatoes represent a big opportunity for future growth and development for tomatoes and pepper producers, creating more jobs and attracting local and foreign investment to this activity."
He noted, "In the name of all greenhouse tomato producers, we would like to give special thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture in Guatemala, together with PIPAA. We would like to give special thanks to the USDA for all the support in making the exports of Guatemalan tomatoes a reality."
