Having grown avocados in Mexico for three generations, GreenFruit expanded into Colombia five years ago. “We were pleased with the quality of the fruit and the taste profile,” says Kraig Loomis, Director of Sales & Marketing with GreenFruit. The company took their growing experience from Michoacan, Mexico and adapted it to the Colombian micro-climate and fertile soil. “We decided to expand our vertically integrated model and invested in 1,200 acres on the pacific side of Colombia (Valle del Cauca).”
In the past five years, GreenFruit applied their organic growing practices from Mexico to Colombia and envisioned having a fully sustainable and socially responsible practice in the orchards. Since the company started from scratch, it was able to build everything from the ground up while keeping sustainability highly regarded. This included grafting their own trees, controlling nurseries, making their own fertilizers, but also building roads and providing housing for field teams. As a vertically integrated supplier, GreenFruit controls the entire supply chain, providing a highly demanded product without compromising its quality, year-round.
“The goal has always been to one day be the only Bio Dynamic Grower in the world,” said Loomis. Just recently, GreenFruit accomplished phase 1 of this goal as it received the official Organic Certification for all 1,200 acres of its Colombia orchards. “We are one of few organic avocado growers in Colombia and are certified organic for shipments to the US, Canada, and Europe,” Loomis commented. Phase 2 is to become BioDynamic (Demeter) certified in 2023. Currently, the company is being audited by Demeter to obtain its Bio Dynamic certification.
For more information:
Kraig Loomis
GreenFruit Avocados / Nature Grown Farms
Tel: (+1) 949.251.0963
kraig@greenfruitavocados.com
www.greenfruitavocados.com
www.naturegrownfarms.com