In order to offer its clients fresh produce such as carrots, cabbage and leeks every month of the year, Fermes Larrère has relied since 2017 on production from their BVLH farm in Portugal's Alentejo region, 40 minutes south of Lisbon. The farm covers 500 irrigated hectares, half of which are dedicated to organic production and the other half to conventional.
“We are about to finish the off-season cabbage and early carrot campaign. The choudou cabbage is finishing its winter phase, and the French production will take over until December. Volumes are secure every year, thanks to our ability to control weather factors in this sandy, draining environment close to the sea, where water is available in sustainable quantities,” explains Philippe Larrère.
For two years now, BVLH has left aside the still underdeveloped Portuguese fresh organic packaged market to focus on raw production in the field. “We have technical and operational expertise in the organic production of sweet potatoes, carrots, leeks, butternut, squash, beet and early potatoes. So, for the past 2 years, we have been renting out our land on a seasonal or year-round basis to organic and conventional growers wishing to grow off-season (peas, broccoli) or in-season (sweet potatoes, peanuts) crops. This rental service could also be of particular interest to farmers facing production difficulties as a result of global warming and water shortage in particular.”
This is a project that Fermes Larrère wants to implement as part of a "vision of European sovereignty", by providing solutions to vegetable production companies facing product supply difficulties. In addition to leasing plots, BVLH offers a full range of agricultural services. “This way, our partners can manage their production according to specific specifications, and also benefit from our experience.”
For more information:
BVLH Farms
Philippe Larrere
Mobile: +33 6 074 062 64
philippe.larrere@bvlh.pt