Westfalia Fruit, the leading global avocado supplier celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
From its roots in South Africa, Westfalia has an established global presence across 17 countries and 5 continents, uniquely working in partnership with local communities and investing in a sustainable future. Below are a few examples of how Westfalia continues to make a positive impact locally and across the global industry, the company says.
Westfalia Fruit has successfully tested an innovative and natural method of ensuring food safety within the supply chain. This new method uses a probiotic uniquely distributed within a water mist circulated in the ripening room. The trials found a 65% reduction in micro levels in the testing room compared to the control room. Avocados that had been treated with the probiotic remained mould free for up to fifteen days, which resulted in a reduction of internal rot of around 20%. This method has other clear benefits, eliminating the need for chemical cleaning materials and avoiding the need to shut down ripening rooms for cleaning.
Looking ahead, Westfalia Fruit has capped off an exciting year of growth in India and China, two of the fastest growing avocado markets in the world, as well as Japan. The company is also forecasting continued market growth across the region into the latter half of the decade.
Westfalia entered the Indian market in 2022, quickly establishing itself as the market leader and largest importer of avocados into the country. Initially, around 200 tonnes of Westfalia avocados entered India but this has already grown to around 4000 tonnes, a more than tenfold increase in just two years. Australia recently gained access for its avocados with South Africa close to also gaining Indian market access.
In China, the avocado market saw a downturn during pandemic lockdowns but in 2023 this turned around and the market there is now looking more optimistic. In August South Africa celebrated after its avocados were granted access to the Chinese market.
In 2023, Westfalia in Peru celebrated a Japanese success story, significantly increasing imports to Japan by 58% establishing Westfalia as a leading supplier to the market. In addition, South Africa was recently granted avocado market access to Japan. Westfalia will work towards expanding and lengthening the season with fruit from Peru and South Africa complimenting each other in the market.
Find out more at: https://www.westfaliafruit.com/