Factors influencing the internationalization of horticultural companies in global value chains

Agri-food trade has evolved from the local to the international level, and this requires companies in the sector to constantly update their skills so they can join global value chains. The purpose of this study is to present the factors that have influenced the in-ternationalization of horticultural smes in these chains. A qualitative approach was used, through structured interviews, by means of a case study. The factors found in-cluded the standards of quality that companies must be able to meet to international-ize, upgrades made to add value to their products, satisfying government and foreign buyers’ requirements, and governance, which varies according to the size of the com-pany. It is concluded that investment in machinery, technology, training, and product diversification has positively boosted the companies’ internationalization and upward mobility.