The organic grower cooperative Nautilus Organic and the grower cooperative FruitMasters have signed a strategic partnership and are launching the BioMasters platform. This new marketing and knowledge platform for organically cultivated fruit is creating plenty of opportunities in the growing organic segment.
The joining of forces will facilitate a strong, sustainable and future-proof cooperation. Cooperative thinking and acting is in the DNA of Nautilus Organic and FruitMasters. These core values therefore make them a perfect match. The platform has the ambition of delivering a clear organic perspective for the growers and to help further serve and develop this category in retail and specialty stores, with added value concepts and varieties that excel in terms of taste and quality. This offers plenty of opportunities for the organic segment to grow further.
Network sharing
Nautilus Organic is the only 100% organic grower cooperative in the Netherlands. The organic range is perfectly compatible with the extensive product portfolio of FruitMasters. Adriaan Vis, commercial director at FruitMasters, said that "looking at the assortment of our national and international customers, we have observed that the share of organic products is growing, and the prospect is for it to increase further in the coming years. We are therefore delighted that with this platform, and with the growers of Nautilus Organic, we'll be able to strengthen our core function by adding organically grown fruit. By connecting the two networks, we'll manage to provide customers with a complete range of high-quality, organically grown fruit, straight from the source."
Combining knowledge
At the core of the platform is the sharing of knowledge. In the Green Deal, the European Commission refers to organic cultivation as part of a sustainable transition. While traditional cultivation continues to become greener and market development is focusing on sustainability, it is essential to reinforce the core values of organic cultivation in terms of biodiversity, care for soil life and fair value for money in the chain. Nautilus Director Michael Mackaay said that "as a cooperative, we have remained committed to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector since our establishment in 1987. That is why we can offer excellent advice to FruitMasters members willing to convert to organic cultivation. With the platform, we offer them sufficient sales opportunities with the right return from the start. And we can provide growers with excellent facilities for sorting and packaging. In our turn, we can benefit from FruitMasters' extensive knowledge of retail and marketing brands and concepts. Joining forces makes us an attractive party for existing and potential organic growers."
One stop shop starts next marketing season
Both cooperatives will continue to operate as independent entities. The growers will be able to sell their products through the BioMasters platform as of the 2022/2023 marketing season. In the coming months, further steps will be taken in the development of the platform and the connection of customers to it.
Acerca de Nautilus Organic
Nautilus Organic is the only 100% organic grower cooperative in the Netherlands. We work hand in hand with our affiliated growers and offer a wide range of organic and biodynamic fruit and vegetables directly from the grower to customers at home and abroad. Nautilus Organic ensures optimal sales for the growers and the fulfilling of the customers' wishes. We therefore contribute to boosting the supply of organic and biodynamic products in the market. We sort and pack as sustainably as possible and we unburden our customers. At the same time, Nautilus Organic is stimulating the development of the organic acreage in the Netherlands, and we strive for sustainable production processes in as short a chain as possible. The main focus is on guaranteeing quality and contributing to a healthy soil life and living environment for people, plants and animals.
Acerca de FruitMasters
FruitMasters is the largest fruit cooperative in the Netherlands, supplying hard and soft fruit directly from the source at home and abroad. It has over 400 affiliated fruit growers. We control the entire journey of the fruit, from grower to consumer: from sorting to packing and from branding to shelf presentation. FruitMasters has become a market leader by continuously investing in new techniques, by developing our own (concept) varieties that perfectly match the taste wishes of the consumer, and by always putting people and nature first. We grow and pack as sustainably as possible, so that we can enjoy delicious and healthy fruit now and in the future.
For more information: [email protected] en www.bio-masters.nl