“It felt like everything came full circle.” For Luuk, this trip was more than just a business journey: it was a special experience filled with wonderful encounters and unforgettable moments. From avocado fields to horseback riding on a finca. Read on to discover how this trip strengthened the collaboration with the growers even more!
Luuk recently made his very first business trip, and what a trip it was! The destination: Colombia. When he heard he could go to Colombia, he was surprised. “I hadn’t expected this in my first year. I couldn’t have had a better first destination. For me, Colombia isn’t unfamiliar. I studied and lived in Medellín and have many friends in Colombia. It really felt like the circle was complete.” But this time, he went with a completely different goal: getting to know the growers and experiencing avocado production up close.
It was his first work trip, which was exciting in the beginning, but once in Colombia, it immediately felt familiar. “People are warm and welcoming — everyone is invited in. Colombia is a beautiful and diverse country: impressive landscapes, a rich culture with many music and dance styles, and not to forget: the cuisine, full of flavors and influences.”
Although he already knew many places, he also discovered new regions. “One highlight was Valle del Cauca. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit Cali, but we did see some beautiful villages.”
Four growers were on the schedule, spread across three regions: Antioquía, Eje Cafetero (the coffee region), and Valle del Cauca. “We were supposed to visit five, but due to bad weather we couldn’t reach the last one. Fortunately, we met that grower a day earlier at the fair in Medellín.”
What impressed him most? “The avocado fields. You see how hard people work and how everything grows. It makes the work tangible and motivates you even more to achieve the best results for our growers.”
One particularly special moment was spending the night at a grower’s finca. “It wasn’t just practical, but also great for strengthening the relationship.”
Luuk also experienced two unforgettable moments. “We had to reach fields in Urrao, five hours by car from Medellín. Our grower arranged a small plane, which got us there in 25 minutes. I had never flown in such a small airplane before. It was thrilling, but also amazing! The views were breathtaking.”
And then there was the horseback riding. “I come from a horse-riding family and I love horses. We rode through the fields and later on a grower’s ranch. We even learned some new moves.”
The trip wasn’t just special, it was valuable. “We already had a good collaboration with these growers, but by spending time together and doing fun activities, the relationship became even stronger.” And what will Luuk take away from this experience? “A lot of knowledge and gratitude. It was a trip full of insights, beautiful moments, and strong connections.”
