SAM Algeciras receives authorization as packaging warehouse for export and re-export of vegetable products. The license granted after an exhaustive audit by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment, allows to perform the phytosanitary inspection of citrus, non-citrus fruits, stone fruits and tomato for export in SAM Algeciras facilities.
The authorization will make the installations of SAM Algeciras in the most competitive in the southern peninsular for the shipment of citrus to countries like China or the United States. The permit received by the company belonging to the Alonso Group has been operational since the beginning of December and reflects the requirements of the MAPA Order of February 20, 1997.
MAPA’s General Directorate of Agricultural Production Health has certified that the SAM Algeciras cold stores meet the requirements for carrying out the phytosanitary inspection for citrus, non-citrus fruits, stone fruits and tomatoes.
Specifically, inspection has been authorized for products destined for China, the United States, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Israel, Canada and South Africa. This authorization also allows the processing of products from third countries, such as Morocco or Algeria, for re-export.
The Importance of the Chinese Market
Until a few months ago citrus fruits were the only Spanish fruit allowed to be sent to China. In just over a year, these exports have quadrupled to 12,400 tonnes, a trend that continues to rise, according to the Ministry.
At the beginning of summer of 2016 has also materialized the opening of the Chinese market to other stone fruits as the plums and the peaches. In this way, important business opportunities for Spanish producers interested in making their way in the most populated country of the world materialize.
This gigantic market with more than 1.306 million potential consumers is extremely rigorous in allowing the importation of agricultural products. For this reason, they demand a great deal of administrative, traceability and food safety requirements for those who want to introduce cargo at their borders.
Advantages and Competitiveness
From now on, the phytosanitary treatments required for the export of vegetable products can be carried out in situ in the 5,200 square meters of cold storage facilities available to SAM Algeciras. The advantages of performing this kind of treatments here, rather than in the producer’s home warehouses are many.
In the first place a significant reduction in logistics costs, since the first tranche of transport from the producer to SAM Algeciras can be done in the way that suits the customer, without the need for additional certifications.
Secondly, when carrying out the relevant treatments in cold storage rooms located just five minutes from the docks, any possible risk of breakage of the cold chain is minimized, while reducing costs significantly.
To carry out these treatments and certify that all protocols are met, SAM Algeciras has specific technical personnel specialized in this type of operations, which guarantees an immediate response to any need that may arise during the process.
In addition, SAM Algeciras has the most advanced technology available on the market in its new facilities. From the moment the merchandise is entered into the warehouse, a fully automated system manages the location of each pallet. At the same time, computer software records the temperature conditions in real time to ensure absolute traceability throughout the inspection and phytosanitary adaptation process.