As an early pioneer in Portugal's frozen vegetable sector, Dardico has been sourcing high-quality raw materials from the Alentejo region since the 1990s.
Dardico belongs to d’Arta, a Belgian family company founded in 1988 that has grown into a global player in the development, processing and commercialisation of fresh frozen products.
In 1996, the group decided to establish a production plant in Avis, a small town in upper Alentejo, which has since turned into the region's largest private employer and one of the most efficient frozen vegetable factories in Europe.
Established in Portugal: 1996
Industry: Agribusiness
Where: Avis (Alto Alentejo)
Country of origin: Belgium
Dardico came to Portugal in the late 1990s as a trading company with the aim of increasing its export business while promoting the quality of local products, and Avis was deemed the right location for this endeavour.
According to Diogo Vieira, Dardico's Plant Manager, this location not only offers excellent climatic conditions, skilled labour and fertile soils, it also stands at the intersection of the three best regions for vegetable production in Portugal – Ribatejo, Baixo Alentejo and Elvas.
Success Story: Dardico
Today, Dardico freezes and exports around 40,000 tonnes of vegetables every year from Portugal, from peas and broccoli to courgettes, tomatoes, and romanesco, as well as strawberries and raspberries. It exports 90% of its production to five continents, but mostly to European markets.
The company's factory runs a 24-hour production schedule, with 300 workers distributed across production and packaging lines, maintenance, quality control and admin.
As of now, Dardico wants to consolidate its presence in Portugal and is working towards the sustainability of its production, by investing in green energy systems and obtaining various environmental and biobased product certifications.
The main advantages of having the factory in Portugal are safety, human resources and the excellent climate. This way, we can produce Mediterranean vegetables that are much appreciated in Northern Europe, and this is what has led us to grow more and more.Diogo Vieira, Plant Manager at Dardico
