Westfalia rolls out Global Water Plan in pioneering approach

Strategies have been developed for South Africa, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Portugal to reduce water use and improve water use efficiency, including specific best practice, measurement and technology-related interventions whose success and progress will be tracked using water-related key performance indicators (KPIs). Low flow initiatives already helped Westfalia improve its water-use efficiency in 2020 and based on the success of this programme, the company is developing and implementing customised plans for its operations worldwide. In a pioneering approach, under a new Global Water Plan, each Westfalia operation has submitted an 8-year strategy that outlines how it will decrease water use and improve water use efficiency.

Combining water-saving and productivity

“In practical terms, this includes selecting the best-suited water-saving interventions that demonstrate good water-saving potential without compromising the productivity of the operation. After this, operations will develop implementation roadmaps and timelines for the next 8 years along with water-related key performance indicators to track progress and success,” explained Maya da Silva, Environment And Sustainability Specialist at Westfalia Fruit. These KPIs will be reported by regional water champions to Westfalia’s sustainability specialist every four months in January, May, and September. Westfalia’s Global Water Plan is part of the company’s long-term sustainability goals that include achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and becoming ‘lifetime carbon neutral’ by the year of the centenary of the establishment of its first farm in South Africa in 2049. That will mean the company will have recovered all the carbon it has used in the lifetime of the business.

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 70 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 16 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.

World-wide operations

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.