French-Moroccan family company Azura, whose production areas are in the Agadir region of Morocco and whose logistics platform and headquarters are in Perpignan in the south of France, was founded in 1988 and specializes, among other things, in the production and marketing of tomatoes, herbs, edible flowers and clams. At Fruit Logistica, we spoke with Azura's communications and marketing manager, Nicolas Calo, about the company's current tomato production.
100,000 tons of tomatoes per year
Tomatoes are grown in Morocco at some 50 farms on 1,000 hectares, allowing the growers to harvest and market about 100,000 tons of tomatoes annually. Major customers in Europe include France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and northern European countries.
Calo: "We are present throughout Europe and want to offer our customers the best products, and are also present in some Eastern European countries. We want to be more visible in the countries we export to, as we distinguish ourselves through our responsible and sustainable commitment. Our tomatoes thrive under the natural light and warmth of the Moroccan sun. Our greenhouses are not lit or heated."
100% CO2 neutral tomatoes
"We try very hard to operate as sustainably as possible. After all, we are the first tomato producer to supply supermarket chains, while being 100% CO2 neutral. We offset our emissions with both a strategy to reduce our CO2 emissions internally and by participating in UN-certified social and environmental projects. Currently, we are working on a strategy to reduce our CO2 emissions to ultimately offset only our non-compressible emissions. Our strategy is aligned with the Science Based Target Initiative to be consistent with the IPCC targets. Sustainability is integrated into the overall Group strategy. We see it as our duty," Calo stressed. According to him, the plastic ban in France has also led to a real rethink and reorientation towards alternative packaging at Azura.
"We are currently working on new materials, including some for the Carrefour chain. However, such new packaging must also be promoted and displayed in relevant stores. To do this, it is necessary to work with retailers and also promote stuff on social media."
Calo also addresses the price point: "Consumers want to protect nature and live as sustainably as possible. However, this should not lead to higher prices. We are constantly working to continue offering affordable and high-quality products."
Nicolas Calo
Azura at Fruit Logistica
"It has been far too long since we were here, so we are happy to meet all our friends and customers again and offer our products for tasting. It's also a good opportunity to show more of who we are and what we do: our commitment from the farm to the consumer's plate, our Azura Foundation, etc. What is next for us? We are currently working on the next version of our packaging," Calo concludes.
For more information:
Nicolas Calo
Azura Group
332 rue de Turin
66034 Perpignan - France
Tel. : +33 (0)4 68 55 55 44
azura-group.com