Nature & More Foundation

Farm description Interview Quality Photos

Did you know . . . . . . Patagonia is the name of the most southern region of South America.

Patagonian Fruits

Ecological Quality

Social Quality

In the years 1920 was when the railroad began to be constructed. The Rio Negro Valley was an ideal place especially suitable for the production of fruits and vegetables. The fertile soil, the Valley that protect from the winds and the two rivers that run through the meadows and collect the melting ice that flows down from the majestic Andean Mountains, perfect climate for fresh produce.
When the railroad settled the apple and pear production in the area started.
The packing houses where build next to the railroad, as all transport of the fruit was by train and went to the Buenos Aires port.
The farms of Patagonian Fruits actually comprise several orchards totalling about 600 ha located in the province Rio Negro at the northern edge of Patagonia in Argentina. Patagonia is a geographic region containing the southernmost portion of South America. Mostly located in Argentina and partly in Chile. The name Patagonia comes from the word Patagon a mythical race of tall people living at the coastline of Patagonian.

Two climate zones can be distinguished: the mountainous west, the Andes region with abundant rains, many lakes and very green vegetation; and the Eastern part of the Patagonian plateau the dryer papas. Towards the east of the province, in the valleys of the Neuquén and RioNegor rivers, the agriculture is intensive and it has been developed by the construction of an artificial irrigation system that includes drains and channels. The apples and pears occupy the first place in production, followed by the peach trees, plums and sour cherries.
Most of Patagonian orchards are between 20 and 30 ha in size and are separated from each other by a row of poplars that serve as windbreaks.
The Patagonian farms are mostly family owned. Each farmer is taking its own responsibility for the orchard, the fruits and its people. Patagonian assists them with harvest equipment and logistics. And to realize high product quality the company sends quality managers to the orchards to monitor premium quality of the fruits.
Some larger orchards are owned by Hugo Sanchez the owner of Patagonian Fruits. These orchards are coordinated by the farm manager Jose Mardone who also lives with his family at the farm.

In harvest season, January – March, there are working more or less 400 employees at the Patagonian farms and in the packing stations. The permanent staff, around 100 employees, are people who live with their families at the farm or nearby in the village.