Ivan Salazar Osorio, Primus Auditing Ops CEO, has built a strong career within one of the most recognized organizations in certification and services for the food industry. A native of Culiacan, Sinaloa, and with a bachelor’s degree in public accounting and finance at Tecnologico de Monterrey, he has held various leading positions that have allowed him to contribute to the growth and expansion of Primus Group throughout Latin America.

In this interview, Ivan shares his professional experience, the evolution of certification services and food safety, and his outlook on the challenges and opportunities being faced by the fresh produce industry. He also addresses key subjects such as sustainability, social responsibility, the adoption of new technologies, and the trends that will shape the future of the farming sector worldwide.

1. Would you mind sharing with us a little bit about your professional background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in public accounting and finance from Tecnologico de Monterrey. My career within Primus Group started about ten years ago in the financial area of PrimusLabs. Over time, I had the opportunity to take on more responsibilities, eventually becoming Chairman of PrimusLabs Latin America.

During that stage, I became a part of projects that represented significant growth for the organization, including the opening of the pesticide wastes laboratory in Guadalajara, the microbiology laboratories in Guadalajara and San Quintin, as well as collection centers in Zamora and Ciudad Guzman. We also worked to strengthen our relationships with our customers and expand our presence in regions where we previously had limited participation, while expanding our services into the processed food industry.

In 2025, I was honored to the honor of taking on the role of CEO at Primus Auditing Ops, leading our operations in the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Costa Rica. It is a great deal of responsibility, but also a tremendous opportunity to continue helping an organization with a strong reputation within the industry. My purpose is to continue positioning Primus Auditing Ops as the certification organization of choice for the fresh produce industry, recognized for our service, technical expertise, integrity, and innovation.

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2. What are the differences between Azzule Systems, PrimusLabs, and PrimusGFS, and how do they work together?

Although each organization serves a different purpose, we share a common history and a highly aligned vision of supporting the food industry.

PrimusLabs has over 30 years of experience providing laboratory services, mostly microbiological and pesticide wastes analyses for both the farming and food industries.

Azzule Systems is a tech and data management company that develops tools to improve communication, transparency, and compliance throughout the supply chain. It is also the owner of the PrimusGFS certification scheme.

PrimusGFS is a standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and widely accepted by buyers, retailers, and growers around the world as a tool for evaluating and strengthening food safety programs.

Primus Auditing Ops was originally created within PrimusLabs and became a stand-alone company in 2015 to comply with the impartiality requirements set out by GFSI. Today, we are an independent certification organization that conducts audits and certifications under PrimusGFS and many other programs.

We continue collaborating closely because we share deep industry knowledge and a common vision based on innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement. This relationship allows us to stay closely connected to the needs of both growers and buyers, while remaining at the forefront of the changes impacting the sector.

3. What are the primary services offered by Primus Certifications?

At Primus Auditing Ops, we offer a broad range of auditing and certification services focused on helping growers, packers, and processors meet market requirements and strengthen their operations.

Our portfolio includes leading food safety certifications such as PrimusGFS and GLOBALG.A.P., as well as sustainability programs, social responsibility certifications, organic certifications, and a range of supplementary audits required by clients and retail chains.

In addition to conducting audits, we strive to support our clients throughout their continuous improvement journey. We have a highly experienced technical team, a network of auditors with extensive expertise in the industry, and a robust integrity program that ensures consistency, transparency, and impartiality throughout our certification processes.

Our purpose is not only to issue a certificate, but to help companies build stronger programs, reduce risks, and strengthen their position in the marketplace.

4. What new services have you included to adapt to changes in food safety regulations and market demands?

The industry has evolved significantly in recent years. Today, markets demand so much more than food safety, which is why we have extended our portfolio to address these new needs.

We have strengthened our certification programs in sustainability, social responsibility, and organic production, areas which are rapidly growing due to thee demand from consumers, retailers, and international markets.

We have also strengthened our supplementary audits related to specific requirements from buyers and international regulations, allowing our clients to access new markets and meet increasingly demanding expectations.

One of the most significant changes we have observed is that sustainability and social responsibility certifications are no longer seen as optional. Today, these are strategic tools that help growers stand out and remain competitive.

5. What are the most important changes the latest version of the PrimusGFS Scheme has had?

PrimusGFS continues evolving to address the regulatory, scientific, and operational changes of the industry.

Recent updates have strengthened alignment with FSMA requirements by incorporating improvements based on scientific research, new evaluation criteria, and an increasingly preventive approach.

One aspect I always recognize about PrimusGFS is that it goes beyond being a certification recognized by the market. Our modular structure allows growers to identify opportunities for improvement, to better understand their risks, and to develop stronger food safety programs.

This ability to drive continuous improvement is one of the reasons why PrimusGFS remains one of the most renowned and valued certifications among growers, consultants, buyers, and industry leaders.

6. How important do you believe the fresh produce industry is on a global scale?

The fresh produce industry is essential to the nutrition and health of millions of people around the globe. Besides its economic impact, it plays a key role in food security and in promoting healthier consumption habits.

In the last years, we have seen increased awareness on the importance of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into daily diets, which has driven global demand and created new opportunities for growers and exporters.

At the same time, the industry carries a significant responsibility. We are talking about products that are often consumed fresh, without any subsequent process to eliminate potential risks. For that reason, maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, and traceability is essential to preserving consumer confidence.

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7. Based on your experience, how important do you consider food safety certifications are, and how have food safety practices evolved within farming companies over the past 10 years?

Certifications continue to be a fundamental tool for accessing markets and demonstrating compliance, but I believe the industry has evolved towards a much more mature perspective.

Ten years ago, the main purpose for many companies was obtaining a certification. Today, we understand that certification is the result of consistent effort rather than the end goal.

The most successful organizations are those which have developed a real food safety culture, where best practices have become a part of the daily operations rather than implemented only in preparation for an audit.

We have also seen significant evolution towards supplementary areas such as sustainability, social responsibility, and transparency. Today, buyers are looking for suppliers that demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to quality, people, and the environment.

This is why I believe continuous improvement is the best business strategy. Companies that consistently work to strengthen their processes will be the ones best prepared to meet the future demands of the marketplace.

8. How are you incorporating new technologies such as blockchain and analytics into your services, and what benefits do you believe they offer to farming companies?

Technology is transforming every industry, and farming is no exception.

Tools such as blockchain have the potential to significantly strengthen traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain, making it possible to identify critical information more quickly and efficiently when needed.

On one hand, analytics and AI represent a tremendous opportunity to create value for both growers and certification organizations.

Currently, we are already seeing applications that help growers evaluate documentation before an audit, identify opportunities for improvement, and prepare more efficiently. These tools can also analyze trends, detect potential risks, and facilitate the work of auditors.

However, it should be remembered that technology is a support tool. Experience, professional judgment, and in-person evaluation will continue to be vital elements within a third-party audit. Technology can make processes more efficient, but trust continues to be built through qualified professionals and unbiased decisions.

9. What are the main challenges the farming industry is currently facing?

The industry faces significant and increasingly complex challenges. Growers must constantly adapt to new demands from retailers, importers, and consumers, who demand higher levels of food safety, sustainability, social responsibility, and traceability.

Staying up to date with these changes can be challenging. That is why I believe training, the adoption of new technologies, and implementing strong management systems will become increasingly important in maintaining competitiveness.

10. How do you see the farming sector over the next 10 years, and what trends will have the greatest impact on the industry?

I see an industry that will become increasingly driven by technology, data, and predictive analytics for decision-making.

AI, automation, digital tools, and analytics will play an increasingly important role in helping growers manage risks, optimize resources, and respond faster to market demands.

We will also continue seeing a consolidation of areas such as sustainability, social responsibility, and efficient utilization of resources. A few years ago, these subjects were considered differentiators; today, they are becoming expected requirements among buyers and consumers.

Finally, I believe transparency and traceability will continue gaining relevance. Consumers want to learn more about the origin of the food they consume, and companies must be prepared to provide that information.

Opportunities will be particularly important for those who are willing to innovate, adapt, and maintain a culture of continuous improvement.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to thank Veggies From Mexico for giving me the space to share ideas and experiences with an industry that I consider fundamental to both the economy and the nourishment of our communities.

I would also like to recognize the work being done every day by growers, packers, auditors, technicians, and all the professionals who participate in the food supply chain.

At Primus Auditing Ops, we strongly believe that our role goes further than just making audits. We wish to become a partner for our clients and contribute to strengthening an industry that is safer, more transparent, and better prepared for the challenges of the future.

If there is one message I would like to leave, it is that continuous improvement is the best business strategy. When we work every day to improve our processes, strengthen our operations, and build trust, the benefits extend not only to our organizations, but also to the entire industry and, most importantly, to the end consumer.

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