Importing fruits from Mexico

[dan@terrafresh]

Hello to everyone,my name is Dan,me and 2 friends we started a company called TerraFresh and we are importing fruits from Mexico.
This is new for us and trying to get some help and suggestion, we want to focus more on bananas and avocado.Any ideas where to look up for buyers, we are bringing like between to 1-5 containers of bananas.
Looking forward to see if anyone can point to right direction where I can find buyers.
Thank you

 

[DoolallyTap]

I assume you have HUGE experience in this and very deep pockets to set up your warehouse and refrigeration plants and know everything about the ripening process required. You say we are importing -Have you actually purchased 'like' 1-5 container or is that just the plan at this stage?
How are you going to compete with Fyffess and Geest, the import by the shipload.

 

[dan@terrafresh]

I assume you have HUGE experience in this and very deep pockets to set up your warehouse and refrigeration plants and know everything about the ripening process required. You say we are importing -Have you actually purchased 'like' 1-5 container or is that just the plan at this stage?
How are you going to compete with Fyffess and Geest, the import by the shipload.

Hi.
No experience it's all new for us.and not planning to get a warehouse, our plan is to sell straight to wholesale markets? And yes we do know all the process involved, we do know everything about the ripening process

 

[fisicx]

Go talk to the wholesalers. Go talk to New Covent Garden.

I used to know somebody who worked with fruits and they sold at the point of origin to local warehouses rather than try and arranged their own shipping and distribution.

1-2 containers is insignificant. The UK imports around 100 containers per day.

 

[dan@terrafresh]

Go talk to the wholesalers. Go talk to New Covent Garden.

I used to know somebody who worked with fruits and they sold at the point of origin to local warehouses rather than try and arranged their own shipping and distribution.

1-2 containers is insignificant. The UK imports around 100 containers per day.

Thank you.
That's exactly what we are thinking of doing it.

 

[dan@terrafresh]

Go talk to the wholesalers. Go talk to New Covent Garden.

I used to know somebody who worked with fruits and they sold at the point of origin to local warehouses rather than try and arranged their own shipping and distribution.

1-2 containers is insignificant. The UK imports around 100 containers per day.

We are looking to start with 2 containers a week and increase when we have stabilised clients

 

[fisicx]

We are looking to start with 2 containers a week and increase when we have stabilised clients

They won’t be interested. The volume is way too small for them to bother with. Selling to wholesalers in Mexico is far more viable.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Hi.
No experience it's all new for us.and not planning to get a warehouse, our plan is to sell straight to wholesale markets? And yes we do know all the process involved, we do know everything about the ripening process

You say you have no experience, then say you already know about ripening? How are you going to ripen without gas and refrigeration, How can you sell direct to wholesalers, these guys already buy direct. have you really checked the current wholesalers, have you Googled -banana wholesalers uk. Did you see that the biggest independent importer, operating since 1982, in their 2024 accounts had trade debtors of £1.4m probably covered by insurance or owed by major 'safe' customers.
Suggest you get some orders from your wholesale buyers before you order your first container. I wonder how much research you have done, it took just a few minutes to discover,

A 40 ft container maximum weight is 29 tons., that's 29000 kilo's, current wholesale rate from grower is .88p per kilo from Costa Rico or Panama, average UK wholesale price is .69p to £1.38. Work it out, you will need about £30000 for your first container, where will you unload it without a warehouse, do you know small wholesalers who want a full container.

Is this really a good idea?


https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c367...dGljYWwtZGF0YS1zZXRzL2JhbmFuYS1wcmljZXM&ntb=1

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

This is new for us

So, you are starting a business with no experience, knowledge, understanding and contacts.

STOP.

Don't do anything until you know a lot more.

My guess is that you have seen these fruits available for pennies with street vendors and did a quick exchange conversion and calculated that a £1 avocado is available for £0.20p from Mexico.

As someone who had done this (mainly lychees & pineapples from Mauritius & Madagascar) and had experience importing and dealing with the big distributors and retailers, it is extremely tough.

Understand:

• Shipping costs - sea (reefers) and air
• Import costs
• shipping terms
• phytosanitation
• Warehousing
• Packaging for shipping
• repacking for retail
• Which companies buy direct and which go through repackagers/resellers/agents
• Product life span
• Sales process
• financials

And that is for starters!

Bananas will be really difficult, as that is controlled by 1 or 2 companies. Avocados may be a little easier, but unlikely.

 

[dan@terrafresh]

So, you are starting a business with no experience, knowledge, understanding and contacts.

STOP.

Don't do anything until you know a lot more.

My guess is that you have seen these fruits available for pennies with street vendors and did a quick exchange conversion and calculated that a £1 avocado is available for £0.20p from Mexico.

As someone who had done this (mainly lychees & pineapples from Mauritius & Madagascar) and had experience importing and dealing with the big distributors and retailers, it is extremely tough.

Understand:

• Shipping costs - sea (reefers) and air
• Import costs
• shipping terms
• phytosanitation
• Warehousing
• Packaging for shipping
• repacking for retail
• Which companies buy direct and which go through repackagers/resellers/agents
• Product life span
• Sales process
• financials

And that is for starters!

Bananas will be really difficult, as that is controlled by 1 or 2 companies. Avocados may be a little easier, but unlikely.

I do love everyone confidence about this.i done my resources about everything for nearly 1 year, and they are not pennies in Mexico,and yes all above already being calculated.

 

[Banksbroo]

This has got to be a wind up? I hope your financial skills are better than your keyboard, language and grammar. If you are for real, this seems a great plan to lose all your money and face a legal minefield of regulations! As @Paul Kelly ICHYB suggests, STOP!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

This has got to be a wind up

Possibly a bit harsh! Maybe English isn't their first language?

 

[Banksbroo]

Possibly a bit harsh! Maybe English isn't their first language?

Yeah, you're right, maybe a bit harsh, I did wonder about that, but the typing? I hope the 2 mates have better writing skills to deal with a mountain of import forms and the delights of international freight contracts.