“We manufacture three types of cocopeat – washed, unwashed, and buffered. In Australia, where labor costs are high and producers pay a premium for water, 100 percent of the supply is washed to remove salinity, which is a natural property. In developing countries such as Latin America and Africa, there is more demand for unwashed. This is closer to the raw state and therefore less expensive. Buffered is the most expensive product as it has nutrients such as calcium and magnesium added after washing.”
He said Ecomix Australia had established a key foothold in the United Kingdom after supplying leading soft fruit growers for the first time last year.
Australian-owned, Indian cocopeat manufacturer Ecomix Australia is expanding globally to capitalize on the demand, particularly from a booming soft fruit industry.
“Growers achieved some outstanding results from that first shipment. As a result, we now have more orders and are confident we can significantly grow that market further.”
“As both manufacturer and distributor, we can supply a premium product at very affordable prices as surplus production will increase with demand,” Martin said. “Having a stable supply of cocopeat and a stable price is crucial for farmers as it ensures financial security reliability and contributes to the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector.
A renewable resource, cocopeat is derived from the extraction of coir fiber from coconut husks and is a natural byproduct of the coconut industry. “The production process typically involves minimal use of chemicals and pesticides, making the end-product a more environmentally sustainable option compared with some other growing media,” said Martin. “This reduces the potential for environmental contamination and pollution. It also has excellent water-retention properties, contributing to water conservation and promoting sustainable irrigation practices, and it can help improve soil structure when used as a soil amendment.”
For more information:
Martin Vadakekuttu, Managing director
Prodoz International Pty Ltd.
[email protected]
www.ecomix.com.au