Organto Foods appoints Chad Hagen to board

Organto Foods has appointed Chad Hagen to its board of directors, effective January 27, 2026. He replaces Alejandro Maldonado, who resigned from the board effective January 26, 2026.

The company, which operates in the natural and organic food sector, is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Breda, the Netherlands. Steve Bromley, chair and co-CEO of Organto Foods, thanked Mr. Maldonado for his contributions following his departure.

Mr. Hagen has more than 30 years of experience across the food, beverage, and fresh produce industries. He currently serves as chief commercial officer at Sojo Industries, a U.S.-based company providing packaging and logistics solutions using robotics and software. Prior to this role, he spent 17 years at SunOpta Inc., where he held several commercial and customer-focused positions, most recently as chief customer officer.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hagen worked for more than a decade in the organic fresh produce sector, with roles at Robinson Fresh, Newman’s Own Organics, Cape Organics, and Pavich Farms. His work included brand development and supply chain operations across more than 15 countries. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Following the board change, Organto Foods’ board remains composed of six directors, four of whom are considered independent. The remaining two are classified as non-independent due to their roles as officers and consultants of the company.

In connection with Mr. Hagen’s appointment, the company granted 100,000 stock options with an exercise price of US$0.85 per share, expiring on January 26, 2031, as well as 75,000 restricted share units. The stock options vest in stages, with 25 per cent vesting immediately and further portions vesting every six months. The restricted share units vest over a three-year period.

Organto Foods also provided an update on its digital marketing services agreement with Machai Capital Inc. The agreement, originally announced in November 2025, was amended and restated on December 22, 2025. Under the revised terms, Machai will provide digital marketing services, including branding, content optimisation, and search engine marketing, from January through December 2026 for a base fee of US$200,000, excluding GST.

As part of the amendment, 200,000 previously issued stock options to Machai at an exercise price of US$0.58 were cancelled and replaced with 200,000 new options at an exercise price of US$0.67. These options vest quarterly over one year and expire on December 22, 2027.

For more information
John Rathwell
Organto Foods
Email: john.rathwell@organto.com
www.organto.com Publication date: Wed 28 Jan 2026

By PromPerú and FreshPlaza

Peruvian blueberry exports increase, managing distribution is crucial to prevent price drops

PromPerú

Peruvian blueberry exports increase, managing distribution is crucial to prevent price drops

The Peruvian blueberry season is centered in the United States and Europe.

“The Peruvian blueberry season 2025/26 is advancing steadily, with evident signs of increased competition in the key destination markets. By the end of week 2, Peru had exported 347,105 tons, a 20% rise from the previous season,” according to ProArándanos data derived from Senasa figures.

This increase in volume confirms the trend seen in recent seasons: a growing supply, which means shipments must be managed more carefully. “As noted in previous market analyses, price impacts are not solely due to total seasonal volume but also to the concentration of fruit within very short windows, which can create immediate pressure on the markets,” they stated.

“The United States remains the leading destination, accounting for 47% of total exports with 163,651 tons. Europe follows with 96,630 tons (28%), and China with 44,304 tons (13%). Europe, in particular, stands out with a 35% increase compared to last year, strengthening its position as a crucial market for diversifying export destinations,” PromPerú stated.

“The region of La Libertad leads shipments with 49% of the total volume, followed by Lambayeque and Ica. This regional growth has been accompanied by a strong focus on maritime transport, which now accounts for 96% of shipments, reflecting improvements in logistics and planning. However, air transport remains important for certain niches,” they stated.

The increased availability of fruit has heightened competition among different origins in international markets. Recent experience shows that a structured weekly volume distribution is crucial to prevent sharp price drops during peak production periods across multiple countries.

PromPerú is promoting a growth strategy centered on commercial planning, volume management, and diversification of destinations. The 2025/26 season emphasizes a structured approach to entering international markets, with a focus on commercial sustainability and competitiveness.

In early February, PromPerú is organizing a trade mission in the run-up to Fruit Logistica. Activities will take place in Rotterdam, Europe’s leading agri-food hub, on February 2 and 3. Eight export companies will participate in business meetings, visit the Port of Rotterdam, distribution centers, and supermarkets to better understand logistics processes, consumer behavior, and commercial potential.

The delegation will then travel to Berlin to participate in Fruit Logistica 2026 (February 4-6). Peru will be represented in the national pavilion and networking areas with international buyers, aiming to strengthen the position of its agro-export offerings in Europe.

For more information:
PromPeru
Tel: +51 979 367 355
Email: agro@promperu.gob.pe Publication date: Tue 27 Jan 2026

© FreshPlaza.com / Diana Sajami