Agrico was exhibiting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this past week, from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 February 2019. During this leading international trade fair, Agrico, together with its subsidiaries, launched its new quality strategy.
The central message that Agrico wanted to communicate to its international customers is the intensified focus on quality – a focus that is motivated by the new strategy Agrico 2030. Agrico wants to continue expanding – an ambition that is linked to important conditions such as professionalism and innovation.
New Quality Center
On 15 February 2019, Agrico’s new Quality Center – which has been operating since the beginning of this season – was officially opened. Samples of all lots of potatoes are inspected and tested for internal and external quality at the Quality Center to provide Agrico with more insight into the quality and vitality of its potatoes.
This information helps Agrico determine the most suitable destination for each lot and provides buyers with better quality guarantees. This data is not just used to optimise commercial sales, but also to optimise how varieties are grown and stored.
Renewed Agrico Research
In addition to the Quality Center, the renewed Agrico Research also contributes to achieving the quality objectives. 2018 saw substantial investment in the breeding station. The benefits of this financial injection should already be seen this season.
The area under glass has doubled in size. Investments have also been made in the latest technology to enable more cross breeding so that the new varieties of the future can be bred more efficiently and effectively.
New strategy explained
At Agrico quality and professionalism are the underlying principles behind business operations in the entire supply chain from field to customer. During a reception on the first day of the trade fair, managing director Jan van Hoogen explained the new quality strategy to those present. The message was reinforced by a short film that portrays the innovation at Agrico in powerful images.
Naturally various Agrico varieties could be admired and tasted at Fruit Logistica, including the innovative Phytophthora resistant ‘next generation potatoes’. On the first day of the trade event, top chef Paul van Staveren presided over a cookery demonstration at the Agrico stand where the Agrico variety Loreley was used to create delicious bites.
Source: Agrico
