- Innovative ‘ABC Juice’ anticipates the need for fresh fruits
- IAC’s quality products gaining attentiveness in the export market
Interview with Mr. Waheed Ahmed — Director, IAC
Investment in manufacturing revitalizes the economy and health system, generates employment opportunities and there is a spike in exports which results in GDP growth. Some Pakistani organizations are rather agile in underpinning economic activities, therefore, Iftekhar Ahmed & Company (IAC) is one of the leading organizations in Pakistan in terms of investment and exports. Iftekhar Ahmed & Company has invested $10 million in Food and Beverages sector and will invest another $15 million in the next four years.
PAKISTAN & GULF ECONOMIST had an exclusive conversation with Mr. Waheed Ahmed, Director, IAC.
Our brand Fruit Nation has introduced Pakistan’s first ABC Juice, an instant energy booster with the ability to improve immunity and detoxify the body.
Iftekhar Ahmed & Company, a leading exporter of fresh fruits and value-added products from Pakistan, has recently launched Pakistan’s first ABC Juice under its fastest-growing brand Fruit Nation to promote health and nutrition by providing premium quality juices, nectar, fruit drinks and food products.
Prepared from the pure pulp of apple, beetroot and carrot, ABC juice makes the human immune system strong and makes the body agile and energetic by providing rich nutrition along with the elimination of toxins from the body.
Iftekhar Ahmed & Company (IAC) is among the 200 companies in the world that have a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables from its own gardens. We have state-of-the-art processing, facility and food and beverage consumer products.
During the launch ceremony of ABC Juice renowned singer and social worker Shehzad Roy attended as the special guest while a large number of prominent business and social personalities attended the event. Speaking at the event, Shehzad Roy said that IAC has always put quality first and has kept its promises to customers and its business partners.
In today’s competitive era, no business can thrive without innovation and meeting the demands of the market and IAC has maintained its identity as an innovative and socially conscious business organization for the past 60 years. A product is successful only when it fulfills the promise made to the customers and I strongly believe that IAC will fulfill its commitment by providing pure and healthy products to its customers.
By leveraging its 62 years of experience in the international trade of fresh fruits and its distinguished position in fruit value addition, IAC has introduced a wide range of nutritious and pure-ingredient juices, nectars and fruit drinks in Pakistan.
IAC’s Fruit Nation and Lush brands have emerged as the fastest-growing and most diverse brands in Pakistan: introduced 7 fruit drinks, 7 nectars, and a special Juice in the last two years.
Some specific juices and nectars introduced under the Fruit Nation brand are free from sugar and artificial food colors, while natural food colors have been used in other juices, nectars, and fruit drinks. All juices, nectars, and fruit drinks are made from natural sweeteners and locally grown fruit pulp, and no preservatives are used to ensure the health of the consumers.
All the flavors are developed as a result of intensive research on taste and quality in the company’s own state-of-the-art R&D laboratory. Fruit Nation and Lush brands are gaining attention in the export market due to meeting international standards and soon will be exported to European countries, Australia, the Middle East, and Caribbean countries.
In the next four years, Fruit Nation will be among the top five brands in the country. The company is enthusiastically working to achieve this goal. Fruit Nation and Lush brand juices, nectars, and fruit drinks are available in more than 30 cities in the country.
Along with a range of juices, nectars, and fruit drinks under Fruit Nation, the Pure Ingredients Tomato Ketchup, and Chilli Garlic Sauce under the Lush brand has also been introduced in different pack sizes. Along with tetra pack packaging of juices, nectars, and fruit drinks, packaging in cans and PET bottles will also be introduced soon. Fruit Nation Brand is also developing Pakistan’s first date syrup brand which will be marketed soon.
Explaining further, Waheed Ahmed said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic and tough economic conditions in the country, Iftekhar Ahmed & Company has invested 10 million dollars in the food and beverages sector fulfilling its deep commitment to Pakistan. An additional 15 million dollars will be invested in the next four years to include Fruit Nation and Lush brand among the top five brands of Pakistan, after which IAC’s new investment in Pakistan’s food and beverage sector will reach 25 million dollars. This is in addition to the investment of $15-20 million for pulping, concentrate, cold storage and other infrastructure.
Iftekhar Ahmed & Company (IAC) is one of the leading fresh fruit exporters from Pakistan and has been in the business for 62 years. The company’s brands are exported to more than 25 countries. Iftekhar Ahmed & Company is also prominent in manufacturing and exporting mango pulp, apple concentrate and other fruit pulp.
Iftekhar Ahmed & Company is recognized by international brands and multinational companies and is the first company to start exporting value-added products Mango Pulp and Apple Concentrate from Pakistan. Apple concentrate produced by IAC is also proving to be a substitute for imports and saving foreign exchange spent on the import of apple concentrate, instead of this Pakistan is getting foreign exchange by exporting apple concentrate.
The company directly employs more than 600 people and indirectly provides employment to more than 5000 people. IAC’s R&D and testing laboratory meets international food safety system standards and is certified by global quality assurance organizations including SEDEX, FSSC22000, Halal Certificate, ISO9001, and Global Good Agriculture Practice Certification (GAP).