With an investment of around US $ 792,000 and more than 18 months of work, Sociedad Portuaria Buenaventura (SPB) in Colombia received the guarantee for the export of Hass avocado (avocado) and sweet citrus to the United States. The certificate was granted by the Colombian Institute of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – APHIS.
Thus, SPB becomes the first port of Colombia and the Buenaventura port node, to be able to export this type of food. Since 2018, as part of its priority investment axis, construction of a refrigerated area began, in compliance with the standards required for the handling of this type of products.
In addition, within the systems acquired and put into operation to obtain said certification, there is an area of cold rooms, composed of containers with hermetic conditions that prevent the entry of pests and barriers that ensure the sealing of loading docks, among others .
“For Sociedad Portuaria Buenaventura (SPB) it is a very important achievement to have obtained this certification that supports us for the realization of these operations. It was a considerable investment that allows us to expand our services, under the understanding that these types of products have gained prominence in the country’s export market. We believe that this becomes a real competitive advantage in relation to the other ports of the Buenaventura port node and the region, “said Jorge Andrés Gallegos, Commercial Manager of the SPB.
According to the ICA (Colombian Agricultural Institute), with the authorization of this new area, the times and logistics costs of land transit are reduced, which is reflected in a rate reduction of up to 50%. Departments such as Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño. Huila, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio, will benefit from this certification.
