Seal Spotlight - An Interview with Condor Nuts

The company’s significant processing capacity makes it one of the largest currently in the Seal program. While at Condor, ACA Marketing and Conference Coordinator Miriam Gyamfi sat down with Silvano Martins, Managing Partner of Condor, to learn about why Condor Nuts decided to enroll in the ACA Seal Program. 

ACA: How did you hear about the Seal?

Silvano Martins (SM): The first time we heard about the Seal was in 2011 when Jim Giles and Xenia Defontaine were on a visit to East Africa and introduced us to it.

ACA:   Why did Condor decided to join the ACA Seal program?

SM: We decided to enter into the program in order to fulfill our clients’ needs and keep our markets open. We know it’s important to have some external control on our practices and products.

ACA:  What benefits do you hope to receive by having the ACA Seal?

SM: Our main goal is to get acknowledgement that our product is a premium product.

ACA:  Have you received request by your buyers to implement the Seal?

SM: We have had some questions from buyers asking for certifications, requests to be compliant with international food standards. The Seal gives us a strong response to those concerns.

ACA: Will having the Seal have an impact on the farmers that you buy RCN from?  

SM: Yes. If we receive satisfaction on our price targets it will have an impact on the farmers. If we get a higher price for a Seal product they will receive a margin.

ACA: When does Condor expect to be fully Seal Approved?

SM: We would like this to happen within this year (2013).

ACA: What would you say to cashew buyers interested in purchasing kernel from Africa? How will having the Seal change your position in the international market?

We are concerned about new clients but more concerned about maintaining the trust that our current clients have in our company.