Sustainable Supply
Food production methods need to evolve to meet the dual challenges of an ever-growing global population and the realities of climate change. In short, we must produce more food, but we must also do it sustainably.
Whenever we invest in a farm, it is with these two aims in mind. Our approach – what can we do differently to ensure that the food supply chain is truly sustainable – environmentally and economically?
Sometimes this is about finding new places to grow. Other times, we need to bring new thinking and cutting-edge technology into play to help deliver the required solution. But this must always be with our customers in mind – what would delight them and what they can afford. So we think hard about the right technology for the situation we are in. Put simply, what is the smartest investment to make.
Our Organic Apple farms demonstrate the layered thinking that brings great results.
We selected a location with the ideal topography and latitude to give us a natural advantage in apple growing – a place where frost is exceptionally rare. This site also came with a long-standing wild bee colony, which means we are entirely self-pollenating – no need for imported pollinators. We then employed a 2-D, 70 degree training system that presents the fruit perfectly to the sun.
With the help of FWAG (the Farming Wildlife Advisory Group), we designed the wider farm to create best in class biodiversity and we believe we now have one of the most ecologically balanced farms in the UK. Put all of that together, and we can produce excellent organic apples sustainably for the environment and at the right price for our customers.
Technology & Innovation
We are believers in bringing new thinking and employing innovative technology to build disruptive solutions to difficult problems with existing fruit supply chains. We have already created some outstanding answers to challenging questions.
For example:
How do we offer a British Strawberry that tastes like the essence of summertime in the middle of the UK winter, while at the same time transforming the environmental impacts associated with supplying fruit at this time of year?
Extraordinary Berry Company has developed exactly this solution, which is now operating at Berry Farming Ltd.
We have created the patented Matrix-GS growing technology that enables us to grow delicious British Strawberries year-round in the UK. This fruit replaces imported crops that can sometimes not taste as good, may come with significant food miles and a large carbon footprint or be drawing on scarce water supply in their home country.
We have invested significant time and money in developing a patented growing system which means, not only do our berries taste amazing, but they also come with a carbon footprint that is up to 84% lower than the competitor supply. We are also self-sufficient in water, placing no pressure on our local water infrastructure – replacing fruit produced in countries where water scarcity is an increasing challenge.
Our Farms
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Rio Alara
Rio Alara is the most recent addition to the Agriculture Investments family. DPS has procured late season cherries from the Rio Alara business for nearly a decade and when the opportunity came for the group to work more closely with Rio Alara, there was no hesitation.
Click to read more about Rio Alara -
Capricot Ltd
Capricot is a joint venture between Agricultural Investments (UK) and Stems (RSA) in South Africa aiming to improve and lengthen the South African apricot production.
Click to read more about Capricot Ltd -
Rudford Farm Ltd
Rudford Farm Ltd consists of three separate farming units which are managed centrally by one experienced team. On these farms, our prime focus is to be one of the most successful organic apple growers in the UK.
Click to read more about Rudford Farm Ltd
