Cultivar

Fresh produce from around the world

Cultivar is a Spanish importer and exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables. Its roots go back to 1974, when Pedro Sitjar opened a wholesale business in Barcelona after starting with a small specialty fruit store. The company describes itself as one of the sector’s leading businesses and has more than 400 employees.

Products and expertise

Cultivar distributes more than 300 varieties of fruit and vegetables. Over the years, it says it was among the first to introduce kiwi, mango, papaya, pineapple, avocado, and endive to the Spanish market. It also works with exotic and counter-seasonal produce.

In-house brands

• Cozumel and Exótica Premium: in-house brands that the company says have led their markets for more than 25 years.
• Cultipalta: a specialized service for selecting, ripening, and delivering avocados and mangoes to customer specifications.

Services

Along with fresh produce, Cultivar provides logistics and quality controls. The company uses its own ripening and preservation methods to help deliver produce at the right stage of ripeness.

Locations and sourcing

Cultivar has branches in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Bilbao. It says it operates worldwide and works with international fruit and vegetable suppliers.

Sustainability and community

The company has replaced some plastic packaging with cardboard and compostable plastics. Its plastic-free packaging for seedless grapes received a World Food Innovation Award. Solar photovoltaic systems at several facilities provide 285.48 kWp at its Barcelona hub, 122.4 kWp at its avocado and mango handling center, and 223.50 kWp at its Madrid branch. The company reports reducing its carbon footprint by 9 metric tons of CO₂ and donating surplus food to the Food Bank. It is a member of the 5 al Día association.

Public funding

Cultivar lists public grants for a new produce-handling and conditioning center, an expanded handling line, and solar photovoltaic installations in Barcelona and Madrid.