For Dion, this trip to Brazil was all about gaining deeper insight: seeing the product with his own eyes, speaking personally with growers, and discussing the months ahead together. Alongside colleague Nico Spruijt, he travelled to the southern part of the country, in the São Paulo region, to visit lime growers and attend a trade fair in São Paulo.
The purpose of the trip was clear: engaging in conversation with our regular lime growers and gaining a solid understanding of the current situation in the fields. For Dion, it was also the first time he visited the lime orchards in person. “It’s valuable to see firsthand what the fields look like and how they are maintained,” he explains. “It gives you a much better understanding of the product and the conditions in which it is grown.”
The growers visited supply limes year round and play an important role in serving the European market. During the visits, there were open and constructive discussions about product quality, volumes, and expectations for the coming months. These conversations help ensure alignment and enable quick action when necessary.
Personal contact remains essential. “Meeting each other face to face gives you a much better sense of one another’s situation,” Dion says. “You see where the challenges are and what’s going well. That makes a huge difference in daily collaboration.” In this way, theConnecting Smilesmotto truly comes to life beyond the office walls.
The outlook for the coming period is positive. The availability of Brazilian limes is stable, and quality levels are meeting expectations. The field visits confirmed this and provided confidence in meeting market demand in the months ahead.
In addition to the grower visits, the trade fair in São Paulo offered an excellent opportunity to follow market developments and reconnect with other industry partners. It provided valuable context on regional dynamics and trends relevant to export markets.
The visit highlighted just how important strong, personal relationships with growers are. By standing together in the field, sharing insights, and looking ahead, we strengthen one another. Together, we ensure that consumers around the world can continue to enjoy our delicious limes.
