Westfalia Fruit, a leading multinational supplier of avocados and a range of fresh fruit, has announced the appointment of Wim Destoop as President Europe from 2 October 2023.

As President Europe, Destoop brings more than 30 years’ extensive experience in Food & Beverages across multiple businesses including Carrefour, Danone and PepsiCo. In his last role at PepsiCo, Destoop was Senior Vice President General Manager for the Business Unit Northern Europe, covering 12 countries.

“Wim will bring a growth mindset with a focus on cross-country collaboration, transformation and optimization starting from consumer needs and connecting with our customers. This will allow Westfalia become a stronger category leader and the preferred partner of our European customers across all channels like retail trade, ecommerce, discount and foodservices,” said Graham Young, Chief Operations Officer Westfalia.

“I’m excited to join Westfalia and bring my leadership and ideas to a dynamic and growing fresh produce sector. I will be looking to truly integrate the European business, creating a stronger customer centric culture,” said Destoop.

Westfalia Fruit is pleased to announce a significant development that underscores its steadfast commitment to propelling Mozambique’s avocado sector forward. With a focus on fostering growth and innovation, the company is proud to unveil its upcoming packhouse expansion initiative.

The upgrade of the packhouse facilities is currently in progress, with an anticipated completion date set for the second week of February 2024. This expansion marks a pivotal stride in solidifying the company’s position within the market while emphasising our dedication to delivering unparalleled quality and value. The expansion aims to accommodate increased demand and reinforce Westfalia Fruit’s commitment to community development and collaboration, thereby enhancing Mozambique’s growing avocado industry.

Having witnessed notable growth in avocado production volume throughout 2023, Westfalia Fruit is poised to elevate operational efficiency, particularly during the crucial picking and packing phases. This initiative aligns with its continuous pursuit of operational excellence and responsiveness to market dynamics.

As the Westfalia Fruit embarks on this ambitious journey of growth and progress, the company extends its sincere appreciation to all our stakeholders, partners, and the diligent community of growers who have played a pivotal role in shaping our success. This packhouse expansion embodies not only the company’s dedication to Mozambique’s avocado sector but also signifies a significant stride towards reinforcing the local economy and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. With the imminent completion of this expansion project, Westfalia Fruit remains enthusiastic about its ongoing contributions to Mozambique’s flourishing avocado industry. Through a commitment to excellence, the company looks forward to sharing the rewards of prosperity with all those involved.

Westfalia Fruit unveils packhouse expansion plans in Mozambique. (Photo: Westfalia Fruit, PR022)

Zac Bard, Director of Westfalia Fruit India (above left). Launch of the first dedicated avocado ripening facility in India (above right). Photo: Westfalia Fruit, PR020

Westfalia Fruit India is delighted to announce the launch of its first Avocado ripening facility in Mumbai, India. This will allow the company to supply avocados that are ready to eat to consumers in Mumbai and neighbouring areas.

The dedicated ripening chamber has been built in Navi Mumbai, near the APMC market and was launched at a ceremony on August 17, 2023. In addition to Westfalia Fruit India leadership team, the launch ceremony was attended by leading fruit distributors, wholesalers, offline retailers, and e-commerce operators.

Westfalia Fruit India has established itself as the market leader and largest importer of avocados in India. Westfalia Fruit started its India journey last year has already supplied over 1,000 MT of avocados to the Indian market in 2023. This year also marks the first year of commercial harvest of Indian grown Hass avocados. Over the next few years, over 500 acres of our existing Hass avocado plantations in Southern India will come into production, enabling consistent year-round availability of avocados for consumers.

Speaking at the launch, Zac Bard, Director – Westfalia Fruit India, said that “Avocado ripeness has been a challenge for both retailers and consumers in India. Many consumers in India are not sure when is the perfect time to eat an avocado. Retailers also at times are unaware how to differently handle Hass avocados at different stages of their ripeness. Our perfectly ripened avocados will look to address this gap in the market.”

“Westfalia ripe and ready to eat avocados will be available in a special punnet and consumers can be assured of consistent quality and ripeness. This ripening facility will be a milestone in India and will change the way avocados are marketed and consumed”, added Zac.

“Westfalia Fruit India is excellently placed to offer avocados consistently from multiple origins all year round mentioned,” Mr. GVK Naidu, Director – Westfalia Fruit India and MD of Sam Agri group, the Indian JV partners of Westfalia. “This ripening facility in Mumbai is just the start and in the coming months, we will have similar facilities in other major metros of the country,” added Naidu.

These surely are exciting times for the avocado category in India.

Westfalia Fruit Group, the global avocado expert, is proud to announce that Dr Khotso Mokhele has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Westfalia Fruit International and its parent company, HMH Group.

Dr Mokhele joined the Board of the HMH Group as a non-executive director in 2013 and is the founder of the Academy of Science of South Africa and the National Research Foundation.  Dr Mokhele is also President of the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation, which was established 74 years ago to promote and assist in the development of natural resources within South Africa and its neighbours through research, experimentation and demonstration supported by scientific knowledge.

Dr Mokhele’s role in science is recognised internationally, he has served as a Special Advisor to two Ministers of Science and Technology in South Africa and has also represented South Africa on the executive board of UNESCO.

Dr Mokhele adds, “I would like to thank the Boards of the HMH Group and Westfalia Fruit International for their confidence in appointing me as the new Chair of both Boards.  We have ambitious plans for the future, to continue positively developing the global avocado industry for the long term supported by research, innovation and commitment of our Westfalia colleagues”.

To learn more about the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation and Dr Merensky, founder of Westfalia Fruit please click here Hans Merensky Foundation (hmfoundation.co.za)