Westfalia pioneers the sustainable farming of tomorrow with water, nature farming and insect rearing projects

26 September 2022
As the world’s fruit and vegetable community prepares to meet at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Spain (4 – 6 October), an annual commercial fair known as an innovation stage for the market, the Westfalia Fruit Group is showcasing four pioneering projects that have taken sustainable agriculture to the next level.

Customized water conservation plans

As Westfalia operates in various types of climates with different water conditions, the company is continuously building on its industry leading water strategy to decrease its water use by 50% by 2030.
Water plans already developed for South Africa, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Portugal are reporting on water-related key performance indicators to track the progress of water savings and the success of the interventions chosen.In a leading approach, each operation is working on and will submit an 8-year Water Plan that outlines how they will decrease water use and improve water use efficiency. The KPIs will be reported every four months to track the performance of each water-saving intervention. Based on the success of this program, Westfalia is developing and implementing customized plans for each of their operations worldwide.

Developing a new buzz

With regulations for pesticide use continuing to tighten around the world, Westfalia is turning to biological control methods as a more sustainable way of controlling pests. In projects in Chile and Colombia, Westfalia is rearing five different beetle and insect predators for the control of White and Red scale, mites, aphids, and mealybugs among others in Citrus, Avocados and Blueberries.Working with a new expert entomologist Westfalia aims to increase the production of pests and improve the harvest systems for the different insects produced. The release of these natural enemies produced in the company’s laboratory is incorporated into the crop management program. Westfalia is working to planning to expand this approach beyond Chile and Colombia.

Farming in nature

Another pioneering project is underway in Portugal where Westfalia’s conservation work is protecting a highly biodiverse habitat and the endemic species found within it. The previously abandoned farm is situated within a Site of Community Importance and managed as a Natura 2000 site.

Before the current avocado orchard was planted in the Alcácer do Sal habitat in Portugal, Westfalia and its local partners carried out floral inventories and environmental impact surveys. This extensive process guided the development of the agricultural project and determined which areas of the reserve needed to be preserved.As required under both Portuguese and EU law, Westfalia is maintaining 50% of the land as a reserve to protect the species that live there and, in addition, the company’s maintenance and tree branch clearing have spared the area from the devastating wildfires that have scarred many other parts of the country this summer.The project has already demonstrated to locals its sustainability credentials in terms of biodiversity conservation and low water use.

New facility in France

Westfalia Fruit France also announces the construction of its new facility in Graveson, in the Provence area of southern France. This new state of the art facility is scheduled to be operational in November 2022 and will include avocado storage, ripening rooms and packing capability to support Westfalia’s pan-European operations.In addition, the new facility in Graveson has been built with extensive energy saving facilities, including solar panels across the roof space, taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the capacity of green energy use towards our sustainable goals.

Read more:

Food Africa and pacprocess MEA 2025: Powering Regional Trade and Industry Growth

11 July 2025
Returning for their 10th and 6th editions respectively, Food Africa and pacprocess MEA will take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC). These internationally renowned events have become leading platforms for stakeholders in the food and beverage, processing, and packaging sectors, offering unmatched opportunities to explore business prospects across Africa and the Middle East. »

China Study Tour: An Unmissable Experience in CHINA MEET UP 2025

10 July 2025
China Study Tour: An Unmissable Experience in CHINA MEET UP 2025! Visitors from across the world sign up for China-focused extension of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Join the Study Tour and Premium Buyer Programme while spaces last. CHINA MEET UP 2025, the official mainland China-focused extension of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, returns to Guangzhou on 8–9 September 2025 with strong momentum and broader global participation. »

Only three weeks left to register as an exhibitor for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026

10 July 2025
Returning to Berlin from 4 to 6 February 2026, FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business. Featuring new formats, high-level networking and a global reach, it is an unmissable event for industry professionals. Registration is open until 31 July 2025. Exhibitor registration for FRUIT LOGISTICA, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, which will take place in Berlin from 4 to 6 February 2026, is still open for three more weeks. »
PARTNERS