The La Coma group: steady, controlled growth

One of Catalonia’s major stone fruit exporters, The La Coma group, consisting of Fruits Sant Miquel SL, SAT La Clamor and SAT La Capelleta, expects its production for the 2014 campaign to come to 35,000 tons, two thousand more than the last one, thereby continuing its line of steady, controlled growth. It has been operating for over 30 years in the domestic and international markets with stone fruit production in the provinces of Tarragona and Lleida and about 1,200 hectares of produce, exporting over 50% of this, which makes the La Coma group one of the largest Catalan stone fruit exporters. Nectarines and saturn peaches (35% and 30% of their production) are their main varieties of stone fruit, followed by peaches (with 25%), apricots (5%), plums (3%) and cherries (2%). In addition to an increase in production for the current season, the La Coma group’s manager, Carlos Lozano, expects an improvement in sugar levels. This will improve their quality objectives for their fruit, which is certified with BRC, IFS and GlobalGAP, among others. Among the La Coma group’s projects, Carlos Lozano explains that a company will be formed with the Catalan companies Fruites Font and Caberol Fruits to combine synergies and strengthen their presence in overseas markets. After years of success in international markets, especially with exports to European destinations (mainly Germany, Italy, the UK and France), the group has set itself the challenge of strengthening its overseas sales in the Americas.  As for new products, Carlos Lozano explains that they intend to make a stake on renewing varieties and differentiating themselves on the shop shelves. To do so, they have joined the Regal’In project, now in its third year, which was created to offer consumers quality products with consistent flavour. Under this brand, consumers are guaranteed they will acquire products always with the same taste and quality. MP