Miami Tropical Wholesaler prides itself on customer service
- by Keith Loria | March 25, 2020
Miami Tropical Wholesaler, Inc. is well versed when it comes to tropical fruits and vegetables as the company was started with these in-demand products in mind. Since 2010, the family-owned and operated company has specialized in the importing and exporting of oriental and tropical fruits and vegetables from South and Central America and other parts of the world.
“I started the company based off of these products and we import papayas, plantains, tropical roots and pineapples various times weekly,” said Raul Polo Jr., president and owner of the Miami-based company. “Our weekly movements in just our tropical categories is anywhere between 10-15 containers weekly.”
The company also offers DSD services from its conveniently located warehouse, which is Primus GFS and FDA approved, and equipped with cold rooms to ensure that all of its products are maintained under optimal conditions.
“We ensure that every piece of pineapple, tropical fruit and vegetables arrive great and fresh so that our clients can maintain the satisfaction and worry free feeling when doing business with us,” Polo said.
Although he’s been working in the produce industry for close to 13 years, Polo considers himself to be part of the new younger generation who are trying to “spice” things up a bit.
“Times obviously change. Since I grew up in the produce industry, I have been able to see many changes, such as market changes, new phases, and even sales. For me, I was always used to seeing the same products: yuca, pineapples, avocados, plantains, malangas, chayotes, calabaza. It was something I saw and ate being from a Hispanic household. But since I’ve been working in the industry, I’ve learned new things by going to the produce shows, and it opened my mind to a vast of opportunities.”
That’s why whereby 10 years ago, Miami Tropical Wholesaler was selling just seven tropical items, today it is handling more than 25 tropical produce items.
One of Polo’s secrets to success is offering outstanding customer service and treating his clients like family.
“For me, it’s super important. Our team here is our muscle, and we make sure product quality is at its very best. We have succeeded so far by making sure our clients can contact us at any given time of the day,” he said. “To be completely honest, I love it when a client calls me on a Sunday at the golf course just to see how things are going and tell me their order just came in and everything arrived great. That make us feel amazing and that we are accomplishing our goal.”
In 2019, Miami Tropical Wholesaler has a great year, surpassing its yearly goal. Polo sees similar things in store for 2020.
“It was an amazing year and the economy is wonderful with people buying more than ever,” he said. “The health craze is helping more and more. You go to a supermarket and you see the produce section full of colors, fully stocked and then empty within a bit of restocking. It’s amazing to see that. We are off to an amazing start for 2020 and can not wait to see how we finish this year.”
Miami Tropical Wholesaler has big growth plans ahead and are currently in search of new sales employees, and is expanding its truck line and routes.
“We are simply happy and excited for our growth,” Polo said.
