Farmer Sven Menzi cultivates 1,200 high-stem fruit trees with various varieties of cider apple. His optimally equipped machine park allows him to harvest the apples efficiently. The Holderhof processes these into pure juice at its fruit processing centre
The Holderhof consistently favours renewable energies. Fossil fuels are to be completely replaced within five years. The next step on this path is the commissioning of the solar plant in Henau.
Christoph Bär mainly grows organic cider apples in Opfershofen. He delivers most of them to the Holderhof fruit processing centre in Sulgen. He particularly appreciates the partnership with Holderhof and shares its business philosophy.
Holderhof is one of the largest growers of organic herbs in Switzerland. Since this spring, eight new varieties have been growing on our own farm, including lady’s mantle, marigolds, yarrow and camomile. This opens up additional possibilities for our beverages. The crop rotation is also becoming more varied.
The wet weather of recent weeks has been particularly challenging for the Holderhof’s agricultural team. For example, the employees have to spend more time weeding the rampant weeds by hand. This makes it all the more important to make the most of the short dry spells.
Holderhof is investing in new cider apple trees for the production of its pure juice at the fruit processing centre in Sulgen. The young trees are planted mechanically. Rational cultivation is the main focus for the cider fruit.
Holderhof employees prepare our apple trees for the coming season with targeted pruning. Special pruning techniques are required for cider fruit because the tree needs to bear as many apples as possible.
A few weeks ago, Holderhof put its new applesauce bottling plant into operation at the fruit processing centre in Sulgen. The company is thus strengthening Switzerland as a location for processing local foods.
Most of the iced tea drinks from Holderhof contain organic herbs from the farm’s own cultivation. This has developed well in recent years and is now to be expanded to include other varieties such as yarrow, camomile and marigold.
Smoothies mixed together from different fruits are delicious and also healthy. The Holderhof company produces them in different variations. Although a certain exoticism is part of it, puree made from local apples is playing an increasingly important role.