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The Kraft Heinz Company has announced a significant enhancement to its European tomato supply chain with the launch of a new processing facility in Portugal.

This state-of-the-art plant, developed in collaboration with The Conesa Group, marks a pivotal step in the company’s ongoing efforts to optimise tomato production and sustainability across its operations.

Located in Mora, Évora, the €15 million facility will process its first tomato harvest this summer, underscoring a 20-year partnership between Kraft Heinz and Conesa, Europe’s largest tomato processing company.

The facility is equipped with advanced energy-efficient evaporators that are projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, aligning with Kraft Heinz’s commitment to sustainability.

The new plant is designed to process up to 4,200 tonnes of tomatoes daily, significantly bolstering Kraft Heinz’s capacity to meet the growing demand for its iconic products, including Tomato Ketchup and Heinz Beanz.

The integration of on-site farming facilities allows tomatoes to be harvested and processed within six hours, ensuring peak freshness and quality.

Kraft Heinz is also implementing innovative water-recycling technology at the Mora facility, which will enable the recycling of 80% of the water used in production.

This initiative is expected to save approximately 1 billion litres of water annually, further enhancing the environmental sustainability of its operations.

Monica Souza, vice president of procurement and sustainability for Kraft Heinz’s European and Pacific developed markets, said: “Our collaboration with Conesa has positioned us as leaders in tomato innovation. Expanding our operations in Portugal reaffirms our commitment to the Iberian region and strengthens our supply chain for our most prized commodity – Heinz tomatoes.”

Manuel Vázquez Calleja, CEO of The Conesa Group, commented: “This new tomato hub increases our yield and processing capabilities by 30%, ensuring a robust supply of Heinz tomatoes across Europe. Our long-standing partnership with Kraft Heinz is a testament to our shared dedication to superior tomato quality.”

The facility will process around 100,000 tonnes of tomatoes harvested between August and September, utilising unique Heinz tomato seeds known for their disease resistance and high yields.

These seeds contribute to the production of tomatoes that require less water and land while maximising the use of pesticides and fertilisers.