FRUANDES
Colombia, Ibagué
Pakka partner since 2008
5 departments, 7 different cooperatives
Approx. 350 farming families
Mango, golden berry, pineapple, banana, cocoa, peanuts, dragon fruits, panela/cane sugar
EU organic, USDA organic, CO Colombia, WFTO, BCorp
Approx. 1000 ha organic cultivation
Fruandes comes from the Spanish «Frutos de los Andes» and means «fruits of the Andes». This is what the company of the same name in Ibagué, Colombia, about 200 kilometres west of the capital Bogotá, is all about. Fruandes is a socially committed company that aims to sell healthy, locally produced organic products in Colombia and internationally. By integrating small farmers' cooperatives into the value chain, the company aims to achieve the greatest possible environmental and, above all, social impact. The latter is also a key concern at the processing plant in Ibagué: 70% of the factory's 75 employees are single mothers, all on permanent contracts.
The Fruandes network covers five departments in Colombia and includes seven different cooperatives and more than 350 farming families. Smallholder farmers in the Colombian Andes grow mangoes, physalis, pineapples, bananas, dragon fruit (pitaya), sugar cane, cocoa and peanuts, which are carefully processed in Fruandes' production facilities according to strict organic quality standards.
In 2017, with Pakka's support, Fruandes was able to build a new processing plant in Ibagué, creating additional jobs by increasing capacity. Thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, the warehouse was also expanded and the packaging line modernised. Today, Fruandes exports its organic products worldwide to countries such as Canada, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and the USA.
FARMERSTORIES
The farmers behind our products
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José Orlando Rodríguez · banana farmer · Vereda Perico, Ibagué · Tolima
Why are you passionate about agriculture?
I come from a region where there has been constant war and where there have been few economic opportunities or prospects. Farming helps people here to grow food for their own consumption and to sell what we don't need and earn an extra income. Today I can say that working in the countryside is a very good alternative to living in peace and contributing to feeding the big cities.
What are the benefits of working for Pakka partner Fruandes?
Fruandes has promoted the partnership between us farmers. It is an honest and serious company that is trying to change our mentality in Colombia. They have given me advice on good practices to manage my crops. Today I have an organic fertiliser factory right on my farm, producing fertiliser for my banana and coffee crops. So I don't have to spend money on fertiliser and I save a lot of money. I also think it's good that Fruandes supports me as a small farmer, accompanies me and believes in me.
Jorge Ivan Muñoz · sugar cane producer · Vereda Quebradillas · San Agustin Huila
Why are you passionate about agriculture?
I believe that working in the fields is a great way to build something and make a positive contribution to the community, and I am proud to be a farmer.
What are the benefits of working for Pakka partner Fruandes?
I have been working with Fruandes for five years and it has been good for me because they guarantee me a stable price and a secure market, they train me in the care and management of the crop, they are good people.
César Balanta · pineapple producer · Vereda · Santander de Quilichao · Cauca
Why are you passionate about agriculture?
Since 1995, I have seen the countryside as an opportunity to support and contribute to our community - the countryside is life. And I am proud to contribute to global sustainability.
What are the benefits of working for Pakka partner Fruandes?
It took me six years to convert from a conventional farmer to an organic one. Growing pineapples taught me to respect nature and the environment. Fruandes taught me the importance of clean and sustainable cultivation and production methods. He also gave me the necessary knowledge and advice on how to farm organically. I also receive additional payments that give me a higher income and prospects for the future.
