Which tropical flavor will you visit today?
From our family to yours - HLB Tropical Food GmbH connects you
with the highest quality fresh tropical and exotic fruits from around the world.
HLB Tropical Food was founded in Germany over 35 years ago by Brazilian native Homero Levy de Barros. What began in the fresh fish trade quickly evolved into something bigger, as the same values of integrity, reliability and uncompromising quality were applied to tropical fruits. This step laid the foundation for the company we are today.
Over the decades, we’ve proudly shared our passion for high-quality, fresh and nutritious exotic fruits with wholesalers, retailers and consumers. From our headquarters in Kelsterbach, near Frankfurt Airport, our sister company HLB Specialties in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and our warehousing locations in California, Florida, Texas, Toronto, and Vancouver, we supply markets across Europe, the United States and Canada.
As a second-generation family-owned company, we are dedicated to cultivating strong, long-term relationships with our clients, growers and teams. Delicious, nutritious, high-quality tropical fruits are our specialty, and bringing these gems to you is our priority.
How may we sweeten your day today?
Sweetening the World Since 1989 has been our motto since the company was founded by Brazilian Homero Levy de Barros in Germany more than 30 years ago. Over the past three decades, we’ve proudly shared our love of high-quality fresh, nutritious, and delicious exotic fruits with wholesalers, retailers, and individual customers. Our companies supply close to 10 countries across Europe, the United States, and Canada from HLB Tropical Food in Kelsterbach (Germany), our sister company, HLB Specialties in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and our warehousing locations in California, Florida, Texas, Toronto, and Vancouver.
YOU are the reason we’re here. As a second-generation family-owned company, we are keenly focused on cultivating strong, long-term relationships with our clients, growers, and teams. Delicious, nutritious, high-quality produce is our specialty, and bringing these gems to you is our priority.
How may we sweeten your day today?
Brazilian native Homero Levy de Barros set out to build a reputation grounded in integrity, reliability and uncompromising quality. These early years in the fresh fish import trade laid the foundation for what HLB Tropical Food would become, setting standards that shaped every aspect of the business as it grew.
This year marked a significant growth in our operations. Drawing on that established reputation, we began handling fresh fruit, applying the same rigorous standards of quality, care and expertise to this new venture while serving a different set of clients. This important step demonstrated our unwavering dedication to quality as we broadened our reach across a wider range of products.
HLB Tropical Food opened an office in the United States, introducing Brazilian non-GMO papayas transported by air. With this expansion, Susanne Raiß took on a pivotal leadership role that guided the company’s growth and strengthened its market presence in Europe.
In 2001, we redefined our identity, shifting from the fish trade to focus on fresh tropical fruits. Our new motto, “We Are More Than Papaya,” reflected this broader vision. At this time, Sybille Friedrich stepped into the role of general commercial representative, showcasing our expanded capabilities and new direction.
HLB Tropical Food moves its German office from Trebur to Kelsterbach, expanding operations with a dedicated warehouse certified under the IFS standard and its close proximity to Frankfurt Airport is a plus.
HLB Group celebrates 30 years in business and strengthens its retail supply for Europe, USA and Canada.
Guided by the experience of Lorenz Hartmann de Barros and powered by the HLB Tropical Food team, the company re-entered the UK retail market in 2019 and has since strengthened connections across Asia, South America, and Central America.
