(Andalusia, Spain)
Produce:
Wide variety of fruit and veg
Eva Hentschel and her husband, Patricio Cruz Zurita, founded Bioandalusi Exports in the Malaga, Southern Spain to concentrate on supplying organic produce from smaller suppliers with the aim of adding social value.
Originally from Germany, Eva brings seventeen years of experience in the organic field to the business and manages client relations. Her husband, Patricio, a native of Malaga focuses on fostering long-term relationships with local growers
Together, they’ve been committed to organic agriculture for over fourteen years, opening their own business in 2011 to do something different: to offer only certified organic fruits and vegetables with real added value.
Their philosophy is simple- “you are what you eat.” For Eva, organic is more than just a certificate; it’s a conscious decision that supports healthier lifestyles, protects the environment and rejects the harmful impact of conventional farming. The couple choose to work primarily with smaller, independent growers instead of large-scale corporate farms to support local economies and foster sustainable partnerships.
Some of their income is put into projects to improve the way crops are grown and many of these are overseen by their Agronomist and Head of Quality, Frank Ohlenschaeger. He works closely with their growers to maintain the soil, which he calls the “capital for flavour.” As an agronomist and trusted bridge between farmers and clients, Frank ensures that standards are upheld from soil to shelf. Many growers are family members or long-standing collaborators from the Málaga region- part of Andalusia’s proud agricultural tradition. Frank also visits farms regularly to offer advice and align quality with client expectations.
Bioandalusi source a wide variety of products. Their first grower (who they are still working with) is a family company concentrating on citrus fruits including lemons, oranges and mandarins. After harvesting, the produce undergoes rigorous electronic sorting through a modern machine that can be programmed to check for the size and the number of imperfections in the fruits. Once sorted, there is a final visual check as the items are packed by hand. Quality and sustainability are non-negotiable.
With increasing competition from cheaper, lower-quality alternatives Bioandalusi remains committed to excellence. As more people recognise that organic is not just a trend but a necessity for the environment and health, Eva’s vision is rooted in responsibility and continues to resonate.