Ardo Aktueel NR. 88 (English)

«I’m an organic farmer for Ardo in the Moeskroen area. Our company is just under fifty hectares and located in the loam area, making it a good land for agriculture. Whereas we used to run a mixed farm of animals and arable crops, we decided to focus on cultivating vegetables only in 1999, and later shift to organic farming. We now grow organic celery, celeriac, leeks and beans for Ardo. What’s more, we also grow grains and cereals, as well as grass-clover to give our fields a break and improve the fertility of the soil.»

«I’m a member of the Vegras grower’s association and also sit on the grower’s committee. We grow vegetables that are primarily used in Ardo’s frozen vegetables. We started working with Ardo in 1999, delivering common (or non-organic) leeks, and started supplying organic vegetables in 2009. The partnership with Ardo is going well. We hold regular meetings to discuss prices, volumes and expectations. Mutual respect is essential in these negotiations, and that’s certainly on show. Communication is particularly important in such turbulent times. We’ve reached a great compromise together.»

Ardo and organic farming

Did you know Ardo is committed to organic farming? Close collaboration enables us to guide our farmers with organic farming and provide support in follow-up processes for organic crops. And we will keep promoting organic farming in the future.

Ardo continues to take a proactive approach when seeking sustainable agricultural production methods – and this applies to conventional crops, too. We’ve translated our goals into our MIMOSA+ programme, which stands for Minimum Impact and Maximum Output Sustainable Agriculture.

Discover more in our Corporate Sustainability Report 2022.

«We’re also in regular contact with Ardo’s cultivation supervisors. We’re still learning from each other day in, day out: they learn more about organic farming while we learn more about the quality requirements of our vegetables and how to meet these requirements. When it comes to organic farming, you have to be able to respond quickly. The cultivation supervisors provide us with specific advice in this area.»

«The climate remains a major challenge, as recent years have been very dry. As a result, we’re currently taking a close look at what we can do with our land. Sustainable water consumption is hugely important in organic farming. When hoeing, we make sure the top layer of soil is loosened, which forms a barrier for groundwater evaporation, as it were. In this way the water is available for the crops. Hoeing once is equivalent to irrigating twice. Impressive, isn’t it?»

«Hoeing means we make huge savings on our water consumption. In fact, today we see conventional farmers are also beginning to add hoeing to their process to help the water remain in the ground for as long as possible, and to reduce the use of herbicides. As organic farmers we try out new techniques, after which conventional farmers start adopting them, too. That’s how we learn from each other.”

“Mutual respect is essential. This is certainly on show at Ardo.”

Thierry Beaucarne, organic farmer for Ardo

Grains, an indispensable source of fibre

When it comes to energy and vitality, carbohydrates are our greatest supplier. Ardo offers a new, extensive range of grains and pseudograins. That means there are plenty of ways to add variety to a menu!

Grains are one of the most important sources of nutrition. Each one has its own health benefits, which is why a varied diet is essential. They contain a wide range of nutrients and are packed full of fibre, various vitamins, iron, calcium and magnesium.

Just like ‘real’ grains, ‘pseudograins’ are highly nutritious and give you the energy you need. What‘s more, some pseudograins, such as buckwheat and quinoa, are naturally gluten-free, which offers an additional health benefit.

All you need to do is heat up this wholegrain, fibre-rich rice. Serve with fish, chicken or in a delicious stir-fry, or leave it to cool and mix into a cold rice salad. Did you know that all types of rice are gluten-free and are perfect for anyone who suffers from food intolerances or allergies?

Art. code: 10002332 – 4x2.5kg

Bulgur is a cereal product made from different types of wheat and is packed full of fibre, protein, slow carbohydrates, vitamin B11 and minerals. Can be used in a host of delicious hot and cold dishes, such as tajine and poké bowls.

Art. code: 10002333 – 10x1kg

Barley has a positive effect on blood sugar levels. In addition to fibre and vitamin B3, this grain contains various other vitamins and minerals (such as vitamins A and D, copper and magnesium). Right on trend and delicious in risottos, salads, soups and more.

Art. code: 10002330 – 10x1kg

Ancient grains mix

Brown rice

Bulgur

Barley

Barley Bulgur

Brown rice

A must-have in every kitchen!

Highly nutritious: low in fat and carbohydrates; high in fibre, minerals and vitamin B.

A wide range: variety is an asset!

Some grains and pseudograins are also gluten-free.

Al dente pre-cooked, which saves a lot of time in the kitchen. All you need to do is heat them up quickly. Can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Easy to portion: use just the right amount to reduce food waste.

No salt or other flavourings, so they can be used to rustle up all sorts of meals.

Perfect for creative dishes, and suitable for vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians.

Ancient grains mix Quinoa

This gluten-free mix of buckwheat, white and red quinoa, and brown and black rice will sate your appetite for longer and add some colour to your plate. Great with fish, in a colourful salad, in a stew and more.

Art. code: 10002352 – 10x1kg

Its high nutritional value makes this gluten-free pseudograin a superfood: quinoa is packed full of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. It also contains all the essential amino acids that make it a rich source of plant-based protein and a perfect, plant-based meat substitute. Can be prepared in no time.

Art. code: 10001818 – 10x1kg

In addition to these products, Ardo also offers various types of rice and pre-cooked pastas. Discover the full range of carbohydrates!

Ancient grains mix with sweet potato and red cabbage

Brown rice with salmon and Edamame soy beans

Donburi with bulgur

Mexican style vegetable soup with barley

Edamame in the pod

The fresh green colour, crunchy texture and sweet taste make Edamame beans in pods an original and nutritious appetiser.

Tip: These beans in pods are delicious with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt, with soy sauce, with sushi and more.

European Edamame in the pod

Edamame soy beans mainly come from Asia, but Ardo has developed agrotechnology to grow this treat in Europe, too. Edamame in the pod are grown, harvested, processed and packed at our site in the Marchfeld region of Austria.

We launched the first studies for growing Edamame beans of European origin more than a decade ago. We’ve since grown both Edamame soy beans and Edamame in the pod in Europe for all your culinary needs.

European origin

Our process from field to factory has been refined to enable us to grow the best possible pods. The Edamame in the pod are in the field from May to September, and ensuring they have enough irrigation is key during growth. Our cultivation supervisors therefore monitor the fields closely.

The ideal time to harvest Edamame in the pod is determined by visible features such as their fresh green colour, the number of beans in the pod, the tenderometer and more.

Once harvested, the pods are freshly frozen at our factory in Austria. Curious to test the end result?

Art. code: 10002335 – 10x1kg

Market and harvest reports

Climate change is impacting us more than we could imagine…

Besides the human impact, the Ukraine war was generating huge stress on agricultural activities for the season 2022-2023. Farmers did wonder if they would be able to afford purchasing fuel or fertilizers (or even get the needed volume). They were right to worry about prices, but this was unfortunately not the main concern of 2022.

2022 is maybe a key year in which farmers and agronomists really realized that, from now on, climate change is providing a structural change in the agriculture.

Never before the weather has had such an extensive impact on our crops throughout Europe. From Spain to Denmark, and from Brittany to Austria: the average yields were far below normal. Whether it is about peppers, peas, spinach, sweet corn, carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, parsley, chives… all crops were severely affected

That is a real concern for Ardo, for our farmers, for our customers, and it should be for all. Climate will continue to change faster and faster, and we should worry about our ability to feed an increasing population in this context.

Autumn & Winter crops

In the North, after a very dry and hot summer, plants presented a huge delay. It is only in September that root crops started to grow in the soil, cauliflowers got mature with a huge heterogeneity, and a delay of more than one month. This is the same for most of the other crops (Brussels sprouts, leeks…). The smooth autumn conditions permitted to harvest quite smoothly until the end of November, but unfortunately, a killing frost stopped everything on the mid of December and many of the not yet harvested crops had to be destroyed, like cauliflowers and carrots.

In the Iberian Peninsula, the situation was contrasted between East (Castilla la Mancha) and West (Extremadura, Portugal). We could reach a correct production of winter broccoli and the peas sowing activities happened almost according to the plan in the East. Whilst in the West, the weather passed from extreme drought to extremely wet, with floods destroying broccoli fields and making sowing of peas and broad beans fields impossible.

Challenging times

The next years will be a challenge. Stocks will be empty, reference yields are again lower, meaning that we should contract more surfaces, which is the same for other food industries (like potatoes, sugar, etc.). Also, farmers are attracted by the prices and relative yield stability of cereals.

Despites price increases, Ardo, as well as the whole vegetable and herbs sector, will be missing surface in 2023…

To tackle the facing challenges of today, Ardo will pay up to 20% and for some crops even 40% more to the farmers, and, on top of that, we aim to increase the number of irrigated fields to reduce the impact of climate change.

Welcome to the team! Ardo is delighted to welcome Alex Ching, Culinary Adviser at Ardo Netherlands. He will focus on turning Ardo‘s wide range into creative recipes and welcomes any questions you may have.

Internorga, Hamburg (DE) 10/03 – 14/03

Hall A4, stand 217

Horecatel, Marche-en-Famenne (BE) 12/03 – 15/03

Hall 2, stand E17

CFIA, Rennes (FR) 14/03 – 16/03

Hall 4, stand A36

Anufood, São Paolo (BR) 11/04 – 12/04

Stand B250

PLMA, Amsterdam (NL) 23/05 – 24/05

Summer on your plate

Add some colour to your home with Ardo – it’s quick, easy and delicious! Whether you want fruit, vegetables or herbs; whether you’re preparing an appetizer, starter or dessert: browse our fresh-frozen range and pick out ingredients for a sumptuous summer buffet. How about a refreshing spring salad, colourful vegetable fingers with a delicious spicy dip, and a sweet fruit brunoise for dessert?

Colourful vegetable snacks Herbs of your choice !

Whether you want to introduce children to vegetables in a fun way, quickly serve a crunchy snack or are looking for a fully-fledged meal component: Ardo’s range of vegetable snacks has got it covered! Discover our wide range of veggie tapas and other delicious snack ideas.

Herbs take your creations to the next level. We offer a wide range of carefully selected herbs and spicy flavours – they are just as tasty as freshly picked herbs, and very easy to add to a whole host of dishes: in dips or marinades, on the grill or as a finishing touch for fresh salads!

Balanced, varied and nutritious food

Ardo’s range of (pre-cooked) vegetables, pulses and grains offers you plenty of possibilities to to rustle up colourful, varied and nutritious dishes. Get inspired by delicious recipes that can be enriched quickly and easily with a dash of extra colour.

Fresh and fruity

A varied range of perfectly ripe, fresh-frozen fruit and fruit mixes with their sun-ripened taste and texture. 100% convenience! Use Ardo’s fresh-frozen fruit range in cocktails, smoothies, coulis, ice cream, a fruity dessert, or infuse your water with colourful hints of fruit and herbs.

Discover our table filled with summer dishes:

1 Trio vegetable fingers

2 Tartar sauce

3 Scandinavian style marinated salmon

4 Edamame in the pod with a hint of coarse sea salt

5 Rhubarb marmalade

6 Burrata alla napoletana

7 Spring salad with mix of ancient grains

8 Hummus

9 Penne mascarpone all’italiana

10 Sweet potato wedges

11 Tropical salad with bulgur

12 Pizza with grill mix à la siciliana

13 Risotto with barley, butternut and forest mushrooms

14 Paella royale

Ardo’s sustainable approach

Ardo supplies the world with fresh-frozen vegetables, herbs and fruit – showcasing our commitment to a global transition toward healthy, plant-based food.

We do this while limiting our own impact on the environment as far as possible and considering the needs of future generations.

We have a positive impact on both fronts, because Ardo feeds the future while protecting what nature has given us. All the while, we consider five key points.

1

Food safety and quality management

We place the highest priority on food safety and quality through our MIMOSA+ programme and our SHINE & PURE initiatives. As an added bonus, we can freeze our crops within hours of harvesting thanks to our fields’ proximity to our factories – allowing our crops to retain as many vitamins and minerals as possible.

2 Innovation

Our processes, products and packaging are constantly changing. We strive for operational excellence and deliver on-trend products that are nutritious and full of flavour. Products that can help the world to move toward a healthy, plant-based diet. When it comes to recipes, our goal is to keep increasing the number of clean-label recipes and make the best possible use of raw materials.

3 Good relationship with stakeholders

We maintain loyal, long-term relationships with all our stakeholders – from our farmers and customers to our suppliers. One of our main areas of attention will be further developing responsible sourcing at Ardo.

4 Respect for our employees

Our employees are special. That’s why mutual respect is essential at Ardo. We show our appreciation by offering opportunities to ensure their own health and safety while enjoying their work. In addition, we challenge our staff to grow and hone their skills through a wide-ranging training programme. This approach benefits both Ardo and our staff, making it a real win-win situation!

5 Minimal environmental impact

Our efforts to limit negative impacts on the environment are clear for all to see in every department.

In the field, our MIMOSA+ strategy goes one step further than before. This philosophy is focused on maximising yield and quality while minimising our impact on the environment. Our attention goes beyond the crop itself and includes water management, regenerative agriculture, reducing a crop’s carbon footprint and protecting biodiversity.

In the production phase, we also limit energy consumption, carbon emissions, water consumption and packaging materials.

More info about how Ardo uses your data: https://ardo.com/en/privacy-policy-customers-and-suppliers