Westfalia said Afondo showed a reduction in post-harvest fungicide use of at least 50 per cent on trials on avocados and limes
Westfalia Fruit has announced that it has begun commercial trials of avocados and limes treated with AgroSustain’s edible coating, Afondo, following successful pilots over the last three years.
Discussions between the two companies began in 2022, when Westfalia explored the potential of 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.
According to Westfalia, Afondo has demonstrated a reduction in post-harvest fungicide use of at least 50 per cent on trials on avocados and limes, as well as 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,” the company said.
Westfalia has now began commercial trials with selected customers, with the opportunity to expand into additional markets. It said customers have shown strong interest in solutions that do not affect flavour and significantly reduce food loss and chemical residues.
“Westfalia is proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the avocado sector,” said Andrew Mitchell, the company’s head of innovation. “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”.
Olga Dubey, CEO of AgroSustain, commented: “Working with Westfalia has been a collaborative and inspiring journey. Together, we are optimising supply chain integration and preparing to launch a bio-coating for organic crops in the near future”.
Dubey said 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.
