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.
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“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.
