green_use_of_land svg

370.000 €

100% funded by 2281 investors

Lime Packing House II

Location Pin Svg
La Union, CO

instalment

quarterly

term

3 years

yearly interest

9.15%

risk rating

B-

Increase citrus producer access to international markets.

Description

Vallata is a Colombian organic citrus (oranges and limes) producer and exporter. Vallata is focused on the sustainability of their processes and the social impact of their activity.


This is the promoter's second campaign, after raising €525.500 in Lime Packing House to co-finance the construction of a cutting-edge lime packing house in Valle del Cauca.

The funds raised through this campaign will support the promoter's export business. Due to industry standards, payments are received 40 days after the fruit leaves Colombia, making accounts receivable a crucial part of working capital. This campaign aims to address and improve that issue.
The promoter currently employs 25 women in the packing house and collaborates with 62 small farms that sell their fruit through them.

The Impact

Direct

  • Increase productivity and financial health of smallholder farmers: around 50% of Vallata's organic limes exports originate from 62 smallholder farmers. Vallata and the smallholder farmers work together in agreement with a third organisation specialising in organic production and exporting. Beyond receiving technical assistance in organic certification, this campaign allows Vallata to integrate the producers into exporting markets while allowing for better and shorter payment conditions. The access to international markets to Colombian producers has the potential to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Indirect

  • Promotion of sustainable and resilient food production systems: Vallata implements the organic mode of production for limes and other fruit, having their own production as well as the smallholder producers with whom they partner are certified organic and good agricultural practices (Global GAP certification). Vallata owns 100 hectares of land under production and another 130 hectares being sowed, while the associated producers amount to another 100 hectares. In addition, Vallata owns 40 hectares of land that are natural reserves. In total, currently, there are 240 hectares of land under organic agriculture or natural protection. 
  • Improve resources use efficiency in consumption and production: Vallata implements sustainable practices in its production and relations with producers. On the farms, they use manual irrigation systems (that are water-use efficient) and have 40 hectares of natural reserve protecting river basins. Regarding energy consumption, Vallata’s activity is not very energy intensive. However, their energy consumption comes from hydroelectric plants in Antioquía. In their waste management, Vallata composts the residues from the farm to use as organic matter and fertilizer for production. Also, the promoter has been working with European partners to reduce waste of the aesthetically rejected fruit on traditional sale by processing other derived products, such as juice from the organic limes.

Impact Indicators

Metrics Svg

120

Hectares for biodiversity

Sustainable Development Goals

2 image
12 image

Financial viability

This campaign aims to address and optimize cash flow, enabling the company to continue growing while positively impacting local farmers and their communities. The loan will be repaid to the investors with profits from the promoter's activity.

PDF Logo Svg

Download the Financial Statements for the promoter here

PDF Logo Svg

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Security SVG
Guarantees

Loans granted to the promoter Vallata S.A.S. by investors will have the following guarantees, provided for in the loan agreements associated with the campaign:

  • Personal guarantees (pagaré) from two shareholders, who each own 25% of the company for the total amount of the debt.
  • Mortgage on the land acquired by Vallata S.A.S.: First-degree mortgage on a plot of land in Santa Bárbara, Colombia, valued at 749,413,419 Colombian pesos (equivalent to €162,019.29 using the conversion rate from 25/09/2024).
  • Mortgage on the land acquired by Vallata S.A.S.: First-degree mortgage on a plot of land in Santa Bárbara, Colombia, valued at 712,860,032 Colombian pesos (equivalent to €154,126.24 using the conversion rate from 25/09/2024).
  • Mortgage on the land acquired by Vallata S.A.S.: First-degree mortgage on a plot of land in Santa Bárbara, Colombia, valued at 732,447,130 Colombian pesos (equivalent to €158,361.13 using the conversion rate from 25/09/2024).


The Promoter

About Vallata SAS

Created in 2017 by the Escobar Santa Maria family, Vallata S.A.S. is a testament to their founders' agricultural passion. 

In 2009, a family from Antioquia bet on their land and planted their first citrus tree. Over time, what started as a small plantation became a citrus exporting company. Today, Vallata has hundreds of hectares planted and managed by highly trained agronomists and many farmers. The promoter employs 40 full-time workers. 

Under Alejandro Escobar Santa Maria’s leadership, the company has grown with operations in Medellin’s headquarters, Antioquia’s farms, and Valle del Cauca’s packing facilities.

The promoter's main activities are the production and sales of citrus fruits, especially limes, oranges, and lemons. From the planting of the trees in the nurseries to the delivery to the final customer. Vallata also plans to produce avocados, vanilla beans, and cashew nuts.

Main export destinations include the USA, the European Union, and the Caribbean. Their mission is to grow in the international market, contributing towards sustainable development in different regions in Colombia, specifically Antioquia and Valle del Cauca.

To establish a production method that respects the environment, Vallata has dedicated years of effort to certify their processes, endorsing their commitment to environmental excellence and social responsibility:

  • Global G.A.P: sets standards for agricultural production, covering aspects such as food safety, product quality, environmental management and worker health, safety and welfare.
  • Global G.A.P GRASP: assesses aspects such as working conditions, worker training and participation, occupational health and safety, and compliance with local labor legislation.
  • Mayacert Ecologic Standard: sets standards for environmentally friendly production, ensuring compliance with specific ecological criteria to promote sustainability.

The team

Alejandro Escobar

linkedin
CEO

After finishing his bachelor's in Business Management Alejandro became Colombia's first organic orange grower and exporter to Europe, co-founded a major agricultural startup, and later focused on expanding his family's business, Vallata.

Diego Lopera

linkedin
COO

As Director of Operations and Agricultural Engineer, Diego combines financial and operational management skills to optimize the production and sustainability of farms specializing in Tahiti Lime citrus. His focus is on ensuring operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and product quality in all operations.

Juan Camilo Suárez

linkedin
Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineer combines expertise in coffee, banana, and technology-driven cultivation.

Maria Fernanda Díaz

linkedin
Management Coordinator

With a solid background and over 6 years of experience coordinating administrative and accounting tasks, Maria Fernanda's proactive and detail-oriented approach enables her to optimize company resources and ensure the fulfillment of organizational objectives.

María Isabel Sabas Jiménez

linkedin
Estate Logistics Coordinator

María, experienced in managing logistical operations, is responsible for coordinating and optimizing the functioning of the property, ensuring that processes are efficient and smooth within the plant.

Zulay Rengifo Peña

linkedin
Plant and Logistics Coordinator

With a background in Public Accounting and Administrative Sciences, Zulay combines her academic experience with her logistics management and coordination skills to ensure efficiency and quality in the plant's processes.

Estefanía Negrete

linkedin
Head of Accounting

Estefanía is a Certified Public Accountant and leads the accounting department. With experience in the financial sector, she is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of records and compliance with financial regulations.

Business Model

Vallata S.A.S. is a Colombian citrus exporter with a focus on oranges and limes, they cater to markets in the USA, the Netherlands, and locally. Their business model integrates both online and offline sales channels, engaging wholesalers and retailers alike.

Active since

2017

Fiscal country

CO

Operating In

Colombia

Industry

Agriculture

Number of Goparity Loans

2

Women Shareholders

Yes

Updates

2024-10-17

100% funded

2277 investors successfully raised 370.000€

2024-09-26

Open for investment

This campaign is open for investment

Sign up to our newsletter and stay up-to-date on our investment opportunities