Publication date: July 3, 2025
My goal is to introduce as many people to exotic fruits as possible. By the end of the decade, I would love to hear many more people include mangosteen, rambutan, Samba papaya, guava, granadilla, and other exotics into their vocablary as fruits they’re familiar with and eat on a regular basis. We want to be part of a health revolution, in which consumers reach for a fruit as a snack instead of ultra-processed foods. Produce in general needs to occupy a much more significant role in people’s diets, especially kids. Children will emulate their parents’ habits, so it’s up to each adult to model healthy behavior.
Publication date: April 7, 2025
HLB Specialties, a leader in the tropical fruit industry, announced the launch of its new line of premium drinking coconuts sourced from Costa Rica and Southeast Asia. This new offering reflects HLB Specialties’ commitment to providing high-quality, fresh, and innovative niche exotics to consumers across the market. The company will be introducing the coconuts at this month’s Viva Fresh show in Houston.
Publication date: April 4, 2025
“Our programs out of these countries are expected to be significantly impacted,” shared Ocampo.
A tariff could translate to a downturn in demand, which could result in supermarkets making different choices in terms of the produce items they want to carry. In my view, a tariff is much more complicated than adjusting the price of a product. In fact, it may result in certain products being priced off the shelves.”
Publication date: September 3, 2024
Fruit via air freight is increasingly being criticised these days, which is why some food retail chains stop having fruit flown in. Nevertheless, papayas, mangosteen, and the like continue to enjoy unbroken high demand from quality-conscious European consumers, observes Lorenz Hartmann de Barros, exotic fruit importer and Managing Director of HLB Tropical Food GmbH. To mark the 35th anniversary of the family business, FreshPlaza travelled to Kelsterbach to talk about the opportunities and challenges of importing exotics.
Publication date: August 28, 2024
While the selection of exotic items is smaller in the fall, they definitely receive more attention from retailers and consumers. That’s due to additional shelf space becoming available, but also because exotic fruits remind people of warm summer days. One of the items available in fall is mangosteen. The season for Mexico grown mangosteen is in its final stretch and will continue through the end of September.
Publication date: April 4, 2024
“We try to solve our clients’ problems if they arise, and even prevent them before they happen by taking care of all logistics for their shipments,” said Hartmann de Barros. “We’ve been doing that for more than 35 years in Europe and ever since we started our U.S. division. That’s one of the big advantages we offer and one of the main reasons we have so many longtime clients, because we know that our business is always a race against that clock.”
Publication date: February 5, 2024
Guavas are also popular, said Hartmann de Barros, “and we see more and more retailers asking to carry this exotic fruit. Guavas combine a health aspect with their high vitamin C and fiber content, but also satisfy our desire for a tropical escape through foods with their floral flavor and aroma.” And HLB Specialties’ Brazilian samba papaya, which is very sweet, was the “breakout papaya star of 2023,”
she said.
Publication date: December 22, 2023
The December holidays have caused an uptick in demand for some exotic fruit varieties and Asian retailers in particular pair exotic fruits to increase store visits this time of year. “Our Brazilian Samba papaya and Ecuadorian white dragon fruits are doing exceptionally well in Canada and California…
Publication date: November 3, 2023
One of the bestselling products for HLB Specialties is the samba papaya from Brazil, which is small and very sweet. “And it’s non-GMO and some consumers pay attention to that,” Hartmann de Barros said.
Another strong-selling product for HLB Specialties is the formosa papaya though “the samba is gaining in popularity and it’s establishing a name for itself,” she said.
The Fort Lauderdale-based company’s produce comes from Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil.
