Citrus to remain the core business for Seald Sweet
Citrus to remain the core business for Seald Sweet
HOUSTON -- Seald Sweet International LLC, based in Vero Beach, FL, has gained a lot of publicity in recent years for being a subsidiary of Uni-Veg Group, based in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium, which operates in 22 countries, owns dozens of major produce companies around the world and is linking those firms, including Seald Sweet, to be a global produce network.
Mayda Sotomayor, who in September became chief executive officer of Seald Sweet, acknowledged that being part of this worldwide link is very exciting. But when she sat for a few moments to speak with The Produce News during the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit, held here in mid-October, she emphasized the importance of citrus for Seald Sweet.
"Citrus is the core business of our company and it always will be," she said. "As the global company grows, we are integrated with production all over the world. Retailers are looking for more direct business. We are growers" and can provide citrus from throughout the United States and many other countries, thus making the firm a 12-month citrus source.
Thus, Seald Sweet is well suited as a direct -- and not a third-party -- supplier to the United States for citrus. The company will expand its citrus supply base if such areas don't compete with exciting seasonal suppliers.
At the same time, with its global connections, Seald Sweet will increasingly offer products like pears, apples, grapes, mangos, avocados and exotics to complement the citrus core.
Mayda Sotomayor, who in September became chief executive officer of Seald Sweet, acknowledged that being part of this worldwide link is very exciting. But when she sat for a few moments to speak with The Produce News during the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit, held here in mid-October, she emphasized the importance of citrus for Seald Sweet.
"Citrus is the core business of our company and it always will be," she said. "As the global company grows, we are integrated with production all over the world. Retailers are looking for more direct business. We are growers" and can provide citrus from throughout the United States and many other countries, thus making the firm a 12-month citrus source.
Thus, Seald Sweet is well suited as a direct -- and not a third-party -- supplier to the United States for citrus. The company will expand its citrus supply base if such areas don't compete with exciting seasonal suppliers.
At the same time, with its global connections, Seald Sweet will increasingly offer products like pears, apples, grapes, mangos, avocados and exotics to complement the citrus core.
