SANLUCAR WATER MANAGEMENT IN HARMONY WITH PEOPLE AND NATURE

SanLucar, the leading premium brand for fruit and vegetables, considers the responsible use of water to be an essential part of its sustainability strategy. The goal is to permanently combine premium quality with responsibility toward people, the environment, and society, while protecting natural resources in the long term.

The guiding principle “Doing things in a way that makes us proud” shapes every area of the company — from the selection of varieties and cultivation practices to social and ecological projects in the production countries. The protection of natural resources, such as water, is closely linked to the company philosophy “Taste in harmony with people and nature.”

As a premium brand with its own cultivation and long-standing partner farms, SanLucar has incorporated water management into its decision-making for many years – from selecting suitable growing regions to defining production methods. For SanLucar, quality is not only defined by taste and appearance but also sustainable use of resources throughout the entire value chain.

This applies especially to strawberry production in the Spanish province of Huelva. The region offers ideal climatic conditions for aromatic fruits. However, it also requires particularly careful water management. For years, SanLucar has continuously invested in measures to reduce water consumption. Modern drip‑irrigation systems, precise control technologies, soil‑moisture sensors, and regular monitoring ensure that water is applied efficiently and according to actual needs. Today, more than 90 percent of SanLucar’s strawberry fields in Huelva are situated in non‑critical water areas.

In addition, SanLucar relies on internationally recognized standards and certifications. The share of certified producers has been steadily increasing, supported by programs such as GlobalG.A.P. SPRING and the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard. These initiatives promote sustainable production practices and enable transparent monitoring and assessment of water consumption. The AWS requirements go beyond traditional certifications, as they consider not only individual farms but entire water catchment areas. In Huelva, SanLucar collaborates with local growers, irrigation communities, and authorities to protect water resources in the long term and continue improving them together.

SanLucar is also pursuing innovative approaches to water management internationally. As part of a European water‑scarcity program, solutions for efficient water use in water‑poor regions are being implemented. In South Africa, production sites have achieved water‑consumption reductions of up to 50 percent. In Tunisia, collected rainwater is used specifically for irrigating tomatoes. In Germany, SanLucar collaborates with a master grower to introduce closed-loop water in strawberry production.