Polski
English
Русский
FairFruit commits to regenerative agriculture
Healthy soils and water resilience will ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality peas from Peru in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
FairFruit – a specialty vegetable and exotic fruit supplier to Europe, the UK, and other markets – has committed to regenerative agriculture practices across allcontracted farms by 2035 as it builds climate resilience and safeguards its long-term supply security.
In an increasingly uncertain future, the fair and sustainable grower-exporter is embedding several sustainability actions at a farm level in Peru and Guatemala, with water resilience the priority. Already, significant progress has been made in Peru, which was Europe’s largest snow pea and sugar snap pea supplier last year, accounting for 28.4% of total EU import volume. FairFruit was the single-largest exporter that same year.
Healthy soils lie at the heart of FairFruit’s approach to help retain moisture so crops can thrive, quality stays consistent, and volume remains stable for European customers. To rebuild soil biology, FairFruit has developed a proprietary in-house blend of beneficial microorganisms, called Soil Balance. In Peru, its application has produced positive, visible impacts, with more balanced growing conditions promoting plant growth across the seasons and crops that meet accurate specifications.
Throughout Peru, FairFruit’s technical irrigation – both drip and sprinkler – has expanded to secure water availability, sustain usage, and reduce dependence on rainfall. In 2025, 56% of FairFruit Peru’s planted area was irrigated using drip and sprinkler systems, which saved an estimated 300,000 m³ of water compared with flood irrigation alone.
Drip irrigation is a particular benefit for snow peas and sugar snaps. Foliage remains dry, which reduces the risk of fungal disease, and potentially lowers the need for crop protection products, while enabling fertigation and reducing nutrient loss.
Added to that, FairFruit has relocated 120 hectares (ha) of its Peruvian snow pea and sugar snap production away from the rain-dependent coast to Arequipa and the Sierra de Huaura where drip irrigation secures water independent of rainfall.
A multi-zone growing structure now covers seven to eight regions, from the Peruvian coast to the highlands, and the Andes. When one zone faces climate stress, the others maintain continuity, which is essential to protecting supply chain reliability.
More Resilient Sourcing
Evert Wulfrank, CEO of Durabilis, the umbrella company of FairFruit, comments: “The future of food depends on what we choose to do today. Regenerative agriculture is key to building climate resilient, sustainable supply chains for the future. Now, more than ever, this shapes FairFruit’s entire approach because producing this way rebuilds soil health, restores biodiversity, improves water cycles, and secures food for future generations.”
Together with local farming communities, FairFruit is turning years of field experience into more resilient supply lines and new opportunities for growers.
Guy Trachez, FairFruit’s Group Sustainability Manager, reveals: “By 2035 we are targeting a full transition to regenerative agriculture practices among our contracted growers in Peru and Guatemala. We’re committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 55 per cent, and increasing the levels of carbon captured in the soil.”
In Peru, the climate mitigation model is built around restoring soil health, irrigation investment, relocating production, and phytosanitary planning.
David Van de Gehuchte, FairFruit’s Sales and Operations Manager for the EU and the UK, notes: “Soil biology promotes quality consistency; water security is volume security; new and diversified production spreads risk and widens our seasonal window, while certification gives retailers third-party evidence for their own reporting. Each step is an investment in resilience for our fields, our farmers, and our future.”
By recognising soil health as the foundation of regenerative agriculture, FairFruit aims to protect the natural resources that underpin long-term prosperity, and build a system that sustains people, the planet, and the promise of tomorrow.
Nery Aldana Pineda, FairFruit’s Agricultural Director for LATAM, explains: “Healthy soils support plant strength, improve productivity, and play a key role in sustaining long-term farming systems. We would always rather work with nature than against it to strengthen our crops and farming practices. At FairFruit we want to not only grow food, but to give back to the land that sustains us. In developing Soil Balance, we are contributing to preserving the most important resource we have in agriculture – our soils.”
A Stronger, Greener Food System
During its 23-year history, FairFruit stands out for a relentless commitment to sustainability, and its regenerative agriculture approach is backed by independent validation. All Peruvian production zones are certified by LEAF Marque, a regenerative and integrated farm management standard. Plus 111 growers supplying FairFruit Peru hold GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING certification for their sustainable irrigation and groundwater use.
Agronomists work side by side with farming families in the field, and growers are pre-financed before they plant to strengthen their resilience. FairFruit finances over EUR 2,200 per hectare and supports planting programmes covering more than 700 ha through a unified grower management model developed in partnership with contract farmers.
The group recognises that regenerative agriculture practices only hold when working capital is available pre-season to invest in inputs, and to manage climate and market-related risks.
Furthermore, FairFruit has reinforced its crop-protection plan by adding weekly climate monitoring. This enables its agronomists to anticipate the need for any adjustments two weeks in advance, and send weekly El Niño monitoring reports to customers with updates on rainfall, soil moisture, and crop conditions.
First-Time Exhibitor – Fruit Attraction 2026
For the first time, FairFruit will exhibit at Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid, Spain, on 6-8 October. Participating on Stand 12E12 as part of the Guatemala Pavilion, the team will be available to discuss FairFruit’s products, supply chain, and opportunities to collaborate.
FairFruit welcomes any visitors to arrange a meeting with Evert Wulfrank (CEO), Claudia Granados(Marketing & Business Development Manager), David Van de Gehuchte (Sales & Operations Manager, EU & UK), and Grace Hailstone (Supply Chain & Logistics Officer).
ABOUT FAIRFRUIT
Founded in 2003, FairFruit is a Belgian company specialising in specialty vegetables and exotic fruits. Together with our network of producers in Guatemala, Peru, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso we grow the best healthy and sustainable vegetables. We are committed to creating a fairer, more equitable, and more sustainable food system for everyone. We believe that regenerative agriculture is the cornerstone of a more sustainable planet. That’s why we dedicate every day to inspiring positive change in partnership with those most impacted by it – from local producers to global consumers. FairFruit forms part of Durabilis, a global collective of sustainable businesses and brands that drive change and promote ethical food practices.
Read more:
Interpoma 2026 Presents the Orchard of the Future: Drones, Sensors and UV-C Technology
Second Day of Fruit Attraction 2026: Business, Innovation and Industry Knowledge
Balkan Expo 2027 in Sarajevo – a business meeting point for the food and agriculture sectors
