The Kraft Heinz Company, an American multinational food company, has announced the opening of a new processing plant in Portugal to expand its European tomato supply chain.
This plant is developed in partnership with The Conesa Group, Europe’s largest tomato producer, representing an advancement in the company’s efforts to increase sustainability throughout its operations.
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Situated in Mora, Evora, the $17.56m plant will process its first tomato harvest this summer, strengthening the company’s two-decade-long collaboration with Conesa.
The newly established plant is engineered to handle a daily processing capacity of up to 4,200 tonnes of tomatoes, increasing the company’s ability to satisfy growing demand for products such as Tomato Ketchup.
The facility features state-of-the-art energy-efficient evaporators, which are anticipated to decrease CO2 emissions by 20%, in line with Kraft Heinz’s dedication to sustainability.
The incorporation of on-site farming facilities facilitates the harvesting and processing of tomatoes within a six-hour timeframe, thereby guaranteeing optimal freshness and quality.
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By GlobalDataManuel Vázquez Calleja, CEO of The Conesa Group, said: “This new tomato hub increases our yield and processing capabilities by 30%, ensuring a robust supply of Heinz tomatoes across Europe. Our long-standing partnership with Kraft Heinz is a testament to our shared dedication to superior tomato quality.”
Kraft Heinz is also adopting cutting-edge water-recycling technology at the Mora facility, enabling the plant to recycle 80% of the water used in production.
This initiative is expected to conserve approximately 1 billion litres of water annually, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of its operations.
The facility is set to process approximately 100,000 tonnes of tomatoes that are harvested between August and September, employing distinctive Heinz tomato seeds recognised for their resistance to diseases and their ability to produce high yields.
