Vince Biasibetti, Executive Sales for the United States at Salix Fruits, shared insights on the recent visit to citrus producers in Morocco.

Salix Fruits, the leading company in the import and export of fresh fruits, continues to strengthen its ties with producers in Morocco to ensure quality and excellence in its products.

Vince Biasibetti, Executive Sales for the United States at Salix Fruits, shared insights on the recent visit to citrus producers in Morocco. “The visit was focused on evaluating the Moroccan citrus season, primarily mandarins and oranges, with a keen eye on crucial aspects such as quality, availability of sizes, and volume of supply. The main goal was to build closer relationships with the producers and gain a better understanding of their operations and farms” , expressed the executive.

The visit aimed to secure the necessary volume for programs with clients in the United States and explore possibilities for Trading clients, further solidifying their presence in the market.

Despite a severe drought, Biasibetti highlighted that “while the overall volume remains unaffected, the offering will be more concentrated on smaller-sized fruits, particularly mandarins (Nadorcott) and oranges (Maroc Late). The farms visited in Marrakech and Beni Mellal showed varying degrees of impact from the drought on production”.

The visit allowed for the exploration of new business opportunities and learning about lesser-known varieties in the American market, thereby expanding Salix Fruits' product portfolio.

Concerning the FDA's Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), aimed at ensuring that foreign suppliers of food and beverages meet the same safety requirements as U.S.-based companies, Biasibetti highlights that “tracking the implementation of this program with our suppliers is also an important factor in our visit to production sites”.

The executive adds that “ensuring compliance with the programs allows us to guarantee the food safety required by the FDA and compliance with public health protection standards, including safety guidelines, preventive controls, and proper labeling”.

Continuous engagement and the establishment of strong relationships in Morocco are crucial for Salix Fruits, enabling them to maintain consistent volume and superior quality, yielding positive outcomes for both clients and suppliers.

“Conducting visits to production areas before each import season is crucial for optimal preparation. Therefore, the operations team from the United States is planning to visit lemon plantations in Argentina for the 2024 pre-season” concluded the executive.