Sustainability in action South African growers show it

The Sustainability Flower has long been the compass by which Eosta visualises and communicates its sustainability policy - transparently and holistically. After all, sustainability is not just about CO₂ emissions or water use, but also about soil health, biodiversity, social conditions and economic impact.  

The flower provides structure to the conversation with our growers: not an audit, but an open dialogue about what really matters. 

This was again evident during the recent visit of Margit Houtman (Compliance Specialist) and Gert-Jan Lieffering (Sustainable Sourcing Manager) to South Africa, where the focus was on technical and sustainability aspects of our suppliers. 

In conversations with citrus and grape growers, it became palpable how much vision, dedication and innovation is behind each product. After all, we are not just selling a product, but someone's work. Growers who continue to build a fairer and more sustainable food system under often complex conditions - and deserve all the respect for it. 

Carpe Diem: biodiversity as a buffer 

At Carpe Diem, a pioneer in organic grape growing, we saw how a rich ecosystem pays off. Smart use of intermediate crops (between the vines) keeps the soil moist better and creates a natural balance where pests are controlled with beneficial insects instead of pesticides. Large-scale AND regenerative - so it can be done. 

Orex: 2,000 jobs with future prospects 

Our growers are also leading the way on social issues. Orex employs nearly 2,000 people from the region. There is a clear vision: to keep families together and create future opportunities. Children can attend care and school so that mothers can also get jobs on the farm - a concrete example of social sustainability in action. 

Greenheuwel: solar energy as a game changer 

South Africa's energy supply is anything but stable. Groenheuwel shows how things can be different: an impressive 1.2 megawatt solar farm supplies green power not only to the company itself, but also to the national grid. Here, energy security and sustainability go hand in hand. 

SOGA: pioneers in a conventional valley 

In the predominantly conventional Sunday River Valley, SOGA shows that organic citrus farming is possible - with perseverance and vision. Its member farmers produce their own compost at a central location. The result? A living, fertile topsoil in which citrus trees thrive without artifice. Organic starts with the soil, and these growers prove it every day. 

The power of partnership 

These growers are not suppliers, they are partners with whom we have worked for many years. They not only provide products, but also a story, a vision, and tangible impact. Using the Sustainability Flower, we make that impact visible - from the soil to the shelf.