HPW Strengthens Sustainable Tropical Food Production with Biological Solutions
Sustainability is at the heart of HPW’s operations. Founded in Switzerland in 1999, HPW has become a leading force in building sustainable tropical food value chains recognized for creating fair income opportunities for local farmers while offering healthy, natural snacks to consumers worldwide.
“Our mission is to combine responsible sourcing, sustainable practices, innovation and high-quality processing to turn tropical products into premium natural snacks for international markets,” explains Maik Blaser, Head of Agronomy & Projects at HPW Fresh & Dry Ltd. in Ghana.
From Ghana to the World
Since establishing its first fruit-drying facility in Ghana in 2011, HPW has grown from just 50 employees to more than 2,000, exporting its products to Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Today, the company’s key products include dried mango, pineapple and coconut, produced in its factories in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and through partnerships in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa and Egypt.
HPW’s success rests on strong partnerships with over 1,000 fruit suppliers, ranging from smallholder farmers to larger producers. A dedicated team of 30 agronomists supports these farmers with technical guidance, training and access to high-quality inputs.
Integrating Biological Solutions for Healthier Soils and Crops
HPW’s commitment to sustainability extends to how its fruits are grown. In recent years, the company has introduced biological crop protection and soil health solutions from Andermatt, integrating them into both organic and conventional production systems.
One of the most impactful products in HPW’s program is Eco-T, a Trichoderma-based soil inoculant. Ghana’s tropical soils are highly weathered and often prone to soil-borne diseases such as damping-off and phytophthora in pineapple which can severely affect young plants. The application of Eco-T promotes stronger root development and healthier soil ecosystems, helping plants better resist stress and disease.
“We started using Trichoderma in pineapple production and in our tree nursery,” Blaser explains. “The results have been very positive – plants develop stronger roots, grow more vigorously and show better resilience against stress factors.”
HPW has also adopted Eco-Bb, based on Beauveria bassiana, as a biological control agent. In pineapple, Eco-Bb targets mealybug, a key pest affecting fruit quality and transmitting the pineapple wilt virus. In mango production, where Eco-Bb is registered as a bio-insecticide, it provides effective control of fruit flies, one of the most challenging pests for mango growers in the region.
“Biological solutions align perfectly with our values,” says Blaser. “They allow us to protect crops effectively while reducing the environmental impact compared to synthetic products.”
Building Resilience Through Regenerative Practices
Beyond pest and disease management, HPW promotes regenerative agriculture among its farmers. The company encourages practices such as composting, cover cropping, and integrated pest management to restore soil fertility and reduce dependency on external inputs.
At the same time, HPW invests in the livelihoods of farming communities, offering training programs, supporting women and youth inclusion and ensuring fair purchasing contracts. The company’s factories are designed with sustainability in mind, integrating renewable energy use, waste reduction and water recycling as part of daily operations.
A Sustainable Future for Tropical Fruit Production
For HPW, sustainability and biological innovation are not just trends, they are essential to long-term success.
“We see biological crop protection as central to our future,” Blaser concludes. “It’s a key part of building climate resilience, maintaining consumer trust and securing high-quality tropical fruit supply chains in Africa.”
By integrating products such as Eco-T and Eco-Bb into its farming systems, HPW continues to lead the way in sustainable tropical fruit production, creating a model where productivity, environmental care and farmer prosperity grow hand in hand.
Notes:
Eco-T ® is sold outside of Africa under the registered trademark of T-Protec ®
Eco-Bb ® is sold outside of Africa under the registered trademark of Bb-Protec ®
HPW website: Tropical fruit with local production allows premium quality
