VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - A significant advancement in agriculture practices and sustainable energy is in the works, and it is being achieved through a strategic alliance. Oppy has teamed up with DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. to develop an integrated greenhouse in conjunction with Canada's pioneering geothermal power facility.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with DEEP,” said Oppy’s Category Director of Greenhouse Kevin Batt. “By integrating a greenhouse into their facility, we’re not only promoting local Canadian produce but also reducing environmental impact and food miles. This partnership symbolizes the future of farming, aligning with Oppy’s commitment to innovative practices.”

According to a recent press release, DEEP is set to develop Canada's first-ever geothermal power facility at Saskatchewan’s U.S. border, strategically positioned near the CanAm and the Trans-Canada Highways for optimal distribution access to all four cardinal points. DEEP’s facility will use the Earth’s natural heat reservoirs, ensuring low-emission power generation to support its operations alongside its state-of-the-art greenhouse.

The initiative with Oppy aims to establish an exciting new model of sustainable agriculture, channeling geothermal energy, heat, and CO₂ for year-round cultivation, the release added. Construction will be underway soon.

"We are looking forward to beginning the construction of this project after years of meticulous planning, once financing is secured,” Founder, President and CEO of DEEP Kirsten Marcia shared. “Our future collaboration with Oppy will mark a crucial step toward creating a sustainable future with this plant, marking an impact not only in power generation but in agriculture too."

ANUK will continue to report as this move sparks advancement for our industry, so stay tuned for more updates.

MURRIETA, CA - Why Colombia? This is a question West Pak Avocado recently set out to answer as we sat down to discuss the grower’s global strategy to establish multi-sourcing regions for its major customers. With Colombia serving as the next phase in this ambitious blueprint, I tapped Kellen Newhouse, Vice President of Sourcing and Farming Operations, to understand what makes this region so critical.

“Because of its unique geographic location, Colombia has access to shipping ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,” Kellen explains to me. “This means avocados can reach major ports in the States faster than any other South American growing region. In some cases, it is as short as three to seven days to major East Coast ports.”

Elevating its overall growth strategy, the Colombia region uplifts West Pak’s portfolio by giving the supplier a viable sourcing option to help meet the demand for premium avocados. As Kellen shares, the company’s vertical integration into Colombia gives it a competitive advantage and more control over the grower’s future.

“Our goal has always been to have vertical integration in the area by becoming growers and packers with our own land and processing facility,” Kellen notes. “West Pak is currently in the process of planting over 1,000 hectares of land owned by the company. The taste, size, and quality of Colombian fruit, as well as its transportability to major ports, make the region an attractive option for West Pak customers either as a starter avocado program or to add to existing year-round plans.”

The Colombian market has seen impressive growth as of late, and West Pak expects to see continued year-over-year volume increases. According to totals from the Hass Avocado Board (HAB), the volume of Colombian fruit to the States for 2023 came in at 25 million pounds, 21 million more than in 2022, and a 625 percent increase year over year.

For 2024, West Pak anticipates a record year in the U.S.

“The timing of the two seasons—late spring through summer and again in the fall through early winter—helps fill gaps in supply to customers with a year-round avocado program. It also helps augment supply for peak events such as Cinco de Mayo and the big game in February,” Kellen shares. “As the country of origin develops, we will see year-round availability of Colombian avocados. We’re proud to be the largest directly invested U.S. grower/packer in Colombia.”

ANUK will continue to bring you exclusive category updates like this one, so stick around!