Brothers Patricio and Manuel Lorenzo, Directors of Establecimiento San Patricio, explained how they succeeded in conducting their first export. The shipment consisted of 48 tons of mung bean, and it was a result of the company's participation in the Export Development Program implemented by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Mining through ProCórdoba Agency.

Establecimiento San Patricio is a family enterprise devoted to agricultural production and cattle-raising. Born as such in 2007, it exploits its own fields in the provinces of Córdoba, Santiago del Estero and Catamarca. Its main activity is the production of soybean, corn and wheat, but Establecimiento San Patricio also raises cattle and has had a feedlot for the past six months. After contacting ProCórdoba, the Lorenzo Brothers started working on a diversification process with the goal of conquering international markets.

Director Manuel Lorenzo explained,

"We started working with ProCórdoba Agency in September 2019. We joined the Export Development Program and we set to work to penetrate the specialty crop market. We first worked on chickpea, but it was not a good season. We then decided to try to export mung bean. The crop is more demanding in terms of production, but comes with the advantage that it can be exported: there's little demand for it in the domestic market, but a large demand in Southeast Asia. In the end, we obtained top-quality produce."

At present, the company is part of two CREA groups (regional associations of farmers), employs 22 engineers, farm managers and administrators, and has achieved its first export: 48 tons of mung bean to Viet Nam. The feat was made possible by the Export Development Program. After enrolling in it, the company received training in customs logistics and was assisted by an external consultant.

Patricio Lorenzo, also Director at the firm, said,

"One of the things we did with ProCórdoba was to carry out a diagnosis of the company's image. We worked hard on the company itself. Agricultural producers believe these things are not necessary. However, if you want to enter the export market, you need to show a strong image to the world. So we learned about the importance of marketing: having the right logos and website, working on our mission and vision, having a strong presence in social media. The external consultant assigned to us was Fernanda Márquez, with whom we are infinitely grateful. Her assistant was crucial to our success. Thanks to the program, we were also able to work with serious, committed professionals, who far surpassed our expectations: customs brokers, quality standard certifiers, commercial advisors, and other professionals."

The company's plans for the future are to keep trade with their importer and progressively increase the export volume. It will also work on the diversification of their offer and have another attempt at chickpea as well as try other beans such as black or read bean, so as to become less dependent on ‘middlemen'. Europe and India are potential destinations for chickpea, while Southeast Asia, of course, is still a market for beans. The firm's representatives also believe countries in Latin America, such as Chile and Colombia, hold possibilities for them.

The Lorenzo brothers shared a final thought and commented,

"Working with the support of the Government of Córdoba has been crucial. The pandemic did not allow us to do some of the activities proposed by ProCórdoba Agency, such as training in product quality analysis, going on trade missions, or getting assistance through the FExIC fund. Still, submitting a FExIC project, for instance, was extremely useful for the company in order to learn where we stand and become organized."

The Business Intelligence Service offered by ProCórdoba Agency is designed to prepare our province's export offer for global demands and help Cordobese companies to position their products in strategic markets. With that in mind, the Agency develops an Export Development Program specifically designed to face the needs of each sector and company. At present the program is working with the dairy, milling, pasta & baking, auto parts, rubber & plastics, agricultural machinery and software sectors.