Colombia report - innovation & craftsmanship in focus

Our procurement colleague Joep van Koevorden, together with Dennis de Wit (Sourcing & Procurement Director) visited our growers in Colombia. He reports personally on an inspiring trip full of craftsmanship, innovation and cooperation: 

Visit to regular lime, passion fruit and mangosteen growers 

"Together with Dennis, I recently visited our growers in Colombia. A valuable trip in which we both strengthened existing relationships and explored new contacts. 

We have been working closely with our regular growers of organic Limes Tahiti, passion fruit and mangosteen for many years. It was good to speak to each other again in person, see how the season is going and look ahead to the coming months together. 

Smart approach against thrips in passion fruit 

In passion fruit growing, we were particularly struck by the grower's inventiveness in dealing with thrips - a persistent insect and the biggest pest of passion fruit in Colombia. Besides using natural enemies and other natural methods, he is even currently experimenting with specific sound frequencies to deter thrips. A great example of innovation within organic farming. 

Mangosteen cultivation with gardener's view 

The mangosteen grower has a striking background: he originally comes from the horticultural and arboricultural world and is still active in it. This knowledge and experience can be seen in the careful construction of his business as well as in the way he deals with biodiversity and planting. 

New avocado contacts explored 

We also visited a new group of organic avocado growers. For us, this was a great opportunity to get to know each other better, gain insight into their way of working and explore together what we can do for each other towards the future. 

Lots of passion and craftsmanship 

It remains special to see with how much passion, skill and attention to nature our growers work. We look back on an inspiring visit!"