Unifrutti is one of the top Chilean exporters not only on apples, but in grapes, pears and stone fruit, with a total of almost 5.000 hectares -between owned and strategic partnerships- productive land in the north, central and southern area of Chile. Since the beginning, their top executives, who strongly believe in innovation, have been working on a strategy directed to find new products and varieties. All this with the final objective that company is be able to supply their customers and clients in many markets with their specific requirements in mind. In fact, they have been very successful and they keep on growing, as they have all the resources to do so: the Marketer, the Land, the Nursery.
“We are very excited about this program, as will be able to offer our growers a new apple variety characterized by its good color, lack of russet and fabulous flavor. The orchards are expected to be homogeneous and stable along their productive life” says Jorge Massanés, Executive Vicepresident of the Company. “We expect to supply many markets, specially the Far East and USA where these apples are much appreciated. Besides, this will enable to use the unique blue box and the logo of KIKU®, which will ensure our product, is always recognized”.
As the apples are one of the key products for Unifrutti, they are growing fast and have many investment plans to be developed in the near future in new orchards and packing facilities, as to maintain the leadership in the market. They have acquired rights on other apple varieties also, such as the Ambrosia, being one of the two appointed licensees for the Southern Hemisphere.
Unifrutti and its associates are currently working on a project of planting 100 hectares (247,11 acres) in the Los Angeles area (500 km south of Santiago) of apple varieties such as Ambrosia, Fuji Brak and Fubrax, during the course of next year and 2009, which is intended to be the kick start for the KIKU apples in Chile.
