At Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Suriname, travelers can stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables at Uw Fruittuintje just before departure. "It's often the last thing people buy before flying back to the Netherlands," explains owner Wikash Algoe. "A bag of yardlong beans for grandma in Amsterdam, or some Madame Jeanette chillies for the son-in-law who likes to cook Surinamese."
© Pieter Boekhout | VerticalFarmDaily.comUpstairs in the departure hall is "Uw Fruittuintje," which offers specific Surinamese fresh produce
For 30 years, the Algoe family has been running this fresh produce shop in the terminal, strategically located just after customs control. The customer base is diverse, ranging from Surinamese travelers to Dutch and other tourists who have developed a taste for Surinamese cuisine. "For many, it's a way to take a piece of Suriname with them," says Wikash.
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Day-fresh and export-worthy
What sets Uw Fruittuintje apart is its freshness. "What is harvested in the morning is ready in the shop by noon," Wikash explains. "In the Netherlands, the same product is often three days old before it reaches the shelves, even with air freight."
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All products comply with European MRL standards. Wikash works with local suppliers who cultivate under closely monitored conditions. "We could even export directly," he says, "but right now we're focusing on selling to travelers. You can see it as a form of indirect export."
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WhatsApp orders and suitcase packing service
In addition to spontaneous purchases, Uw Fruittuintje offers a personalized service. "We have regular customers who send us their orders via WhatsApp. We then set everything aside for them," says Wikash. "Sometimes they even bring empty suitcases that we fill and pack neatly for them." The shop is especially busy during peak travel periods such as year-end holidays, school vacations, or when elderly people who have spent the winter in Suriname return to the Netherlands.
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Despite the company's strong position, Wikash continues to invest. "We are currently expanding the shop because I expect tourism will continue to grow. KLM now flies daily, but that could increase further. And Copa Airlines is opening the market toward the Caribbean and North America. There are opportunities there."
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And what about direct exports? "If a local laboratory becomes available for MRL testing, we won't rule it out," he says. "But for now, we're happy where we are, right by the gate, with hundreds of potential customers every day who want to take a little bit of Suriname home with them."
© Pieter Boekhout | VerticalFarmDaily.comOwner Wikash Algoe
For more information:
Wikash Algoe
Uw Fruittuintje
Departure Hall
Johan Adolf Pengel Airport (Suriname)
Tel: +597 8252000
[email protected]
