Darta’s success story in Portugal - A pioneer in the frozen vegetable sector in Portugal, Darta’s factory in Avis is one of the most efficient frozen vegetable factories in Europe.

Darta Alentejo is part of Darta, a Belgian family-run business founded in 1988 that has become a global player in the development, processing, and marketing of fresh-frozen produce.

In 1996, the group decided to set up a production facility in Avis, a small town in the Alto Alentejo, which has since become the region’s largest private employer and one of Europe's most efficient frozen vegetable factories.

Established in Portugal: 1996

Industry: Agribusiness 

Where: Avis (Alto Alentejo) 

Country of origin: Belgium 

Darta entered the Portuguese market in the late 1990s as a trading company, aiming to expand its export business and promote the quality of local produce; Avis was considered the ideal location for this purpose.

According to Diogo Vieira, Director of Darta’s factory in Portugal, this location offers not only excellent climatic conditions, a skilled workforce, and fertile soil. Still, it is also situated at the crossroads of the three best regions for vegetable production in Portugal – Ribatejo, Baixo Alentejo and Elvas.

Currently, Darta freezes and exports around 40,000 tonnes of vegetables per year from Portugal, including peas, broccoli, courgettes, tomatoes, romanesco, peppers, and green beans. It exports 90 per cent of its production to all five continents, mainly to European markets.

The company’s factory operates 24 hours a day, with over 200 workers across production and packaging lines, logistics, maintenance, quality control, and administration.

Darta is currently seeking to consolidate its presence in Portugal and is working to ensure sustainable production by investing in green energy systems and obtaining various environmental and bio-based 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.