Maart 2008: Nieuwsflits Honduras
From Handelswijzer Midden-Amerika van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Ambassade te Costa Rica
Agrolibano: a Honduran leader in the export of Galia melons
Based in the southern part of Honduras, the Agrolibano group of companies employs approximately 500 permanent workers and around 5000 temporary workers. Its main company is Agropecuaria Montelibano which produces approximately 4 million boxes on an area of 2,400 hectares. Of this volume 3,000 containers are exported to the US (65%) and the remainder to Europe (35%), to cover the winter season of the Northern hemisphere (January to May). The main varieties traded under their own label Mike's Melons are Cantaloupes (American type) and White Honeydew Melons for the US market and Galias for the European market. Agrolibano's growing is protected from adverse climate effects since the region is protected by natural barriers. Additionally, the group continuously tries to improve their processes and methods of production and manufacturing with good agricultural practices and to reduce the use of chemicals. This shows the increasing investments by the group in the implementation of a laboratory for the biological control supported by specialists at the region, who already developed important techniques in the control of plagues and diseases. According to the FAO of the United Nations, Honduras is among the 20 largest producers of melons worldwide. Honduras competes directly with Central American countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. Guatemala is the main rival for the US market, and Costa Rica for the European market. Agrolibano is the second firm in size, but it dominates exports to Europe and the only one that produces and trades Galias. Aditionally, Agrolibano renewed its GlobalGAP certification and acquired Tesco's Nature Choice certification.
