The Algarve orange is now regularly exported to Germany, under a contract signed recently between Lidl, one of the largest German retail companies, and Cacial, which involves two other large Algarve citrus production and marketing companies , Frusoal and Frutalgoz.
The three operators, who are among the largest in the Algarve, in terms of citrus, have joined together to enter one of the largest – and most demanding – markets in Europe, in a commercial move that even Nuno Russo, Secretary of State for Agriculture, he made a point of emphasizing, during his visit to the region, on Thursday.
«Until now, Cacial was the company that exported. We've been sending orange semi-trailers to Germany. Within two weeks, two more companies will enter to supply: Frusoal and Frutalgoz», he revealed to Sul Informação José Oliveira, president of Cacial.
This turns out to be a foot in the door of the German market, achieved as a result of the collaboration that already existed between Cacial and Lidl Portugal. For now, there are only three operators involved, but there is an opening to include more companies.
“The idea is that everyone who wants to participate will participate. We wish there were more companies in a position to participate in this process. Here there is no closed or private strategy. Because that market absorbs everything we can send there», said the president of Cacial.
But, for this, the operators must have the necessary conditions, since "companies and producers, to place a product on the German market, must be certified".
«We are talking about Protected Geographical Indication (IGP), but also about certifications Global Gap [good agricultural practices] and grasp [safety at work]. And it is these three companies that manage to meet the criteria. Cacial and Frusoal already have it and Frutalgoz is about to guarantee it», explained José Oliveira.
Entering a market with the size and demand of the German can be decisive for the Algarve orange. And it's not even for the financial gains obtained.
“We're not really talking about the price we get – they're not about substantially different values – but the volume we can sell. It is a guarantee of sales and the conquest of a market. If we manage to win a market by having quality, we are guaranteed and, with this door open, we are much more comfortable, even when negotiating with other clients», summarized the president of Cacial.
Nuno Russo, on the other hand, made a point of congratulating the companies for the contract they had won and which will make "an important contribution" to the increase in the country's exports.
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