Dutch fruit trader Kees Rijnhout, CEO of Jaguar The Fresh Company, is set to establish a large-scale avocado plantation in Suriname with partners. In six to seven years, the first containers of Surinamese avocados are expected to arrive in Rotterdam.
© Jaguar The Fresh Company
Kees has found the location for his avocado plantation
Rijnhout has already supported various social projects in Suriname with his company and family in recent years. The avocado idea emerged about five years ago when he was surprised by the cultivation in arid regions. "Avocados need a lot of water. Many things are in short supply in Suriname, but water is not one of them," he says.
Rijnhout travelled to Suriname for the first time in 2020, together with consultant Theo Terdu, who passed away in 2023. "We looked at an abandoned banana plantation with excellent water and fertilisation infrastructure. However, after examining soil samples in Wageningen and elsewhere, the site proved unsuitable."
© Jaguar The Fresh Company
Kees Rijnhout and Rishma Kuldipsingh, the former Minister of Economic Affairs, sign the LOI document at Floriade
Business case and the right contacts
By developing a clear business case, the plan gained momentum, and a declaration of intent was signed by Rijnhout together with the Minister of Economic Affairs during the Floriade in 2022. Also in 2022 and 2023, close relationships were established with then-president Chan Santokhi, several ministers, and the Surinamese ambassador to the Netherlands. The Jaguar organisation in Barendrecht was visited several times, and confidence grew within the entire team about the strong potential for avocado cultivation in Suriname.
Rijnhout's motivation, apart from contributing to improved social conditions in Suriname, is to market avocados globally through Jaguar The Fresh Company under the well-known Jaguar brand.
© Jaguar The Fresh CompanyWith a group outside at the table (also at the Floriade), you do see Edgar Davids (socially involved in Suriname with football projects, among others)
Suitable location
"Together with various government officials, we began the search for a suitable location, which ended in the district of Saramacca, on a former coffee plantation on the coast and along the Suriname River. The site will be leased from the Surinamese government," Rijnhout explained.
"First, there will be a test field of about 5 hectares. If that proves successful, we plan to expand to 150 hectares and possibly even 400 hectares. Trees have already been pre-ordered in California and Spain. In two years, it will become clear which varieties perform best locally."
Ginger as a quick source of income
Because avocado trees only start full production after several years, the company plans to grow ginger crops among the young trees as a so-called cash crop in the initial phase. "Ginger grows quickly, generates income within the same season, and prevents the land from becoming overgrown in a short time," he says.
The project has also encountered obstacles. "Setting up a local company has taken almost three years," says Rijnhout. "The bureaucratic system is slow; you need patience and perseverance."
© Jaguar The Fresh Company
Route to Europe is ready
The harvest in Suriname will take place from May to August. The avocados will be transported by small boat in containers across the Suriname River, then shipped to Curaçao, and from there by ocean-going vessel to Europe. "The journey takes three to four weeks. An in-house packing station will be built as soon as there is sufficient production."
Project funding will come from multiple sources: Rijnhout's personal holding company, the Surinamese government, several private investors, Surinamese bank Hakrinbank, and possibly the Dutch institution Invest International.
"We are going to make it," says Rijnhout confidently. "At the end of October, I will fly to Suriname again for meetings with various agencies, banks, and several growers. To be continued."
For more information:
Kees Rijnhout (Group CEO)
Jaguar The Fresh Company
Selderijweg 90d
2988 DG Ridderkerk
Tel: +31 (0)180 750 500
[email protected]
www.jaguarthefreshcompany.com
Previously published in this special:
1. Suriname offers many opportunities: Plenty of water, soil, and sun
2. Photo report at the two supermarket chains in Paramaribo
3. "Supply of acerola cannot keep up with European demand"
4. "There will always be demand for Surinamese fruit and vegetables from the Netherlands."
5. Imports in tropical Suriname are replaced by local lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes from the greenhouse
6. Exports of Surinamese bananas to Europe are coming back into focus
Want to know more about cultivation and trade in Suriname? Contact Anilkumar Padarath of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry: [email protected]
