PROCOMER
A small and new company from Guanacaste has proven that where there is a will, there is a way. Its potential for businesses created the conditions to export 95% of its cantaloupe production to Europe.
“Pura Vida Melons” is located in Dulce Nombre, Nicoya, Guanacaste. The company sent about 234 containers with 460 tons of fruit to England, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and the United States between January and April 2016.
Carlos Ajú, Manuel Vargas and Orlando Herrera seized the opportunity to create their own company when an English firm offered them three key aspects: initial capital, a regular customer and an international market.
The company started 1 year and 10 months ago with 100 hectares for the first harvest, which became 150 in 2016. The growth expectation in the short term is 25% and they hope to reach Turkey and Hong Kong’s market.
This year they started the construction of their own packing plant and administrative offices. They also acquired a cantaloupe sorter and grow rice during the months they cannot harvest cantaloupes.
We have participated in national and international fairs and the training we received helped us in business management, export logistics and quality to access markets. In addition, it gave us the momentum to get certified with Global GAP and get the essential license in Costa Rica. It is very satisfying. I am very happy to provide work, knowledge and stability to the community,”
said Carlos Ajú.
Marco Alfaro, regional head of the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) stated that they are proud to see small businesses from rural areas growing and doing market research to seize opportunities and maximize resources and added this drives them to continue supporting and guiding enterprises.