21 Oct 2025

Westfalia Fruit and AgroSustain Advance Sustainable Innovation in Avocado Supply Chain

Westfalia Fruit, a global leader in the avocado industry with a legacy spanning over 75 years, is proud to announce its collaboration with AgroSustain, a pioneering agri-tech company focused on sustainable crop protection. The partnership marks a significant step forward in maintaining quality, reducing food loss and chemical residues across the fresh produce supply chain.

Discussions between Westfalia Fruit and AgroSustain began in 2022, where both companies explored the potential of AgroSustain’s edible coating, Afondo, to extend the shelf-life of avocados. Over the last three years, initial trials have been conducted in Colombia, Chile, and Peru, with treated fruit shipped to Westfalia’s operations in Germany and France.

Current trials focus on avocados and limes, with Afondo demonstrating a reduction in post-harvest fungicide use by at least 50% and a significant decrease in supply chain waste. The coating is compatible with existing machinery, and if planned in advance should result in minimal disruption on packing lines.

Following several years of successful trials, Westfalia has now began commercial trials with selected customers, with the opportunity to expand into additional markets. Customers have shown strong interest in solutions that do not affect flavour and significantly reduce food loss and chemical residues. Westfalia is committed to ensuring alignment and meet customer expectations through extensive and thorough testing.

“Westfalia is proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the avocado sector,” says Andrew Mitchell, Head of Innovation at Westfalia Fruit. “Our collaboration with AgroSustain reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and delivering high-quality produce to our customers. One of the benefits of the Afondo coating is its flexibility, we are able to incorporate into our existing operations as an option for customers who are impressed by its results. In a dynamic market we believe Afondo delivers better value and results than other coatings available on the market and will shortly be extending trials to other European markets.”

AgroSustain is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. “Working with Westfalia has been a collaborative and inspiring journey,” said Olga Dubey, CEO AgroSustain. “Together, we are optimizing supply chain integration and preparing to launch a bio-coating for organic crops in the near future.”

Afondo’s proven efficacy across a wide range of crops—including passion fruit, mangoes, citrus, nectarines, and cherries—opens new opportunities for both local and international growers and distributors to extend shelf-life while reducing reliance on chemical treatments.

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Notes for editors

About AgroSustain

AgroSustain is a Swiss-based agri-tech company developing natural solutions to reduce food waste and promote sustainable agriculture through innovative post-harvest treatments.

About Westfalia Fruit

The multinational Westfalia Fruit Group is a leading supplier of fresh and processed produce to international markets, offering a diverse range of quality fruit and related products via its vertically integrated supply chain. Founded over 75 years ago on guiding environmental, social, governance & sustainability principles. These practices, premised on the legacy of Dr Hans Merensky are at the heart of all that is done by the Group – “To Do Good”, – of which continue to underpin our approach today.

Today, operating in 17 countries spread over 5 continents, the Westfalia Fruit Group prides itself on advancing sustainable agricultural practices and being a responsible corporate citizen within the communities in which it operates.

As a frontrunner in the avocado industry, Westfalia grows, sources, ripens, packs, processes, and markets accredited avocados across the globe throughout the year. Value-added products include avocado oil, low-preservative guacamole, frozen avocado, and dried fruit.

Westfalia grows fruit in all major origins in the Americas and Africa and sources from partner orchards, giving the Group the most diverse avocado-growing footprint in the world. Westfalia’s dynamic and integrated supply chain from research to the consumer benefits all stakeholders. The Group’s research division, Westfalia Technological Services, is the world’s largest privately funded subtropical fruit research unit. Its dedicated team of scientists and technicians focus on varietal development, innovation, and environmental matters, and provides a pivotal role in defining the future of the global avocado industry.

A supplier of choice to retail, wholesale, and food-service customers, Westfalia operates sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, southern Africa, and Asia. Fruit is packed in diverse formats and expertly ripened to deliver optimal eating quality. For more information visit www.westfaliafruit.com.