Sevilla, March 10, 2008 - Under the motto “Living Food Quality Together,” the Crop Protection division at BASF is working to maintain and expand partnerships and joint projects in the fruit and vegetable value chains.
From Spanish strawberries to Turkish table grapes, BASF is actively contributing to multi-stakeholder projects across Europe focusing on the sustainable production of premium fresh produce.
BASF as a partner of the REWE Group in “Best Alliance”
BASF is one of the partners in the new "Best Alliance" concept for sustainable contract farming, which was initiated by the REWE Group. This “alliance of the best” relies on close collaboration with partners from agriculture, service providers, manufacturers of crop protection products and agricultural advisors, as well as non-government organizations (NGOs).
Spanish strawberries: premium quality from field to consumer
The partnership for the production of premium strawberries within the “Best Alliance” concept started in 2006 as a pilot project in Huelva, Spain. The project was a clear success for all involved parties and has been extended significantly in the running season.
Based on “good agricultural practice” (GAP) and the strict implementation of “integrated pest management” (IPM), the strawberries are only cultivated by selected farmers. In close consultation with independent advisors on site and the other partners, BASF develops the best crop protection strategies to protect the strawberries. Throughout the whole season, BASF supervises cultivation and is ready to offer advice to the producers. The independent testing institute UIS Ibérica subjects the fruit produced by this scheme to rigorous controls and the Peter Vetter Group as the service provider takes utmost care to deliver premium quality to the REWE stores all across Germany.
This type of collaboration with partners, throughout the value chain, represents the opportunity of producing fruit and vegetables that meet with consumers' increasing high quality requirements. Consequently, it is planned to transfer and expand this successful model to different crops and regions in the coming seasons.
BASF supports Spanish growers to become a long term reliable supplier of fresh produce for the European consumer
“Nowadays, consumers take a large selection of premium quality fresh fruit and vegetables for granted. However, in order to meet consumers’ increasingly stringent requirements regarding the quality, safety and availability of fresh produce, it is vital that all partners within the value chains work together toward this common goal”, says Diego Lopez, Director of BASF Crop Protection for South Europe.
With our innovative crop protection products, our expertise and services BASF contributes not only to the agricultural production but is also a reliable partner to the whole fruit and vegetable value chain.
Producing premium quality produce requires a high degree of professionalism. “Only high quality and innovative crop protection products can ensure sustainable production and at the same time meet the required quality standards of European markets,” says Jesús Delgado, BASF Española, Marketing Manager for vegetables.
With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007.