By: Carlos G.
Reyes Movilla – Director of
Certifications
Over the past four years the DAABON Group has ventured into the production of Hass avocado, sugar mango and other tropical fruit varieties for export, in order to meet the demands of consumer markets for fresh fruits produced in and exported out of Colombia.
In accordance with the above and complying with Colombian
tax requirements through the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), the
group
built its own fresh fruit packing plant. These facilities were built
following international
phytosanitary agreements signed by Colombia with Japan, the USA, the EU,
Korea
and the Republic of China. The ICA reserves the right to audit and
certify the
enlistment sites (selection and packaging) of fresh fruits destined for
export.
The new packing plant is located in the Las Américas
Free Trade Zone (ZFA) and is managed by Superlogistics (a DAABON
company). It is
equipped with offices,
warehouses, a reception area for fruit operations, an air
conditioning room
with automated washing, treatment, classification and selection of
the fruit by
weight, as well as a cold room for storage of packaged
product. Semi-round
fruits such as Hass avocados, citrus (limes and oranges), mangos and
passion fruit,
among others, are selected and packed.
The packing plant is now ICA authorized for the
preparation of Hass avocados destined for Europe and the US. The last
authorization pending is for the Japanese market, but the process is
already in
its final phase and is expected to be granted approval soon. Following
Japanese
certification, and when necessary, the permits for Korea and China will
be
processed. ICA approval for the selection and packaging of sour lime
(Tahiti
Lemon) is in currently in process.
The packing house has been granted organic
certificates in accordance with the standards of Europe, Japan and the
USA.