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Media Reports

“Organic food for everyone is not a utopia”

By 2025, sales of organically produced food in Germany had risen to around 18 billion euros—a new record since the introduction of the organic label in 2001. When lehmann natur was founded in 1988, such developments were a distant dream. Today, they are resounding proof that lehmann natur’s vision of “organic for everyone” is not a utopian dream—reports FRESHPLAZA on the occasion of this year’s FRUITLOGISTICA trade fair in Berlin.

FRESH PLAZA, January 23, 2026

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“The two-day event gets bigger every time”

Under a bright blue sky and with summer-like temperatures, the Eco Field Days at Wassergut Canitz GmbH in Saxony were a complete success. We at lehmann natur were also there, along with Bivano from the BÖHMER Group. Fresh-Plaza reports.

FRESH PLAZA, June 25, 2025

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Panel Discussion “Food Waste Is Water Waste” at the Eco-Field Days

On the occasion of the Eco Field Days at Wassergut Canitz, lehmann natur and Bivano are hosting a panel discussion on June 18. The discussion, featuring renowned participants from the retail, scientific, and consulting sectors, will explore the fair’s theme of “water protection” in greater depth. FRUCHTPORTAL reports.

FRUCHTPORTAL, June 16, 2025

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Yellow limes, green lemons—why good fruit ends up in the trash

Fruit and vegetables that are perfectly safe to eat sometimes end up in the trash because they don’t meet industry standards. The EU project Breadcrumb aims to make these products marketable. How can this be achieved? How can return processes be optimized to conserve resources and reduce environmental impact? Is seasonal packaging also a way to prevent food waste? And: Are all retail-specific requirements actually necessary? Our CEO, Raphael Kennerknecht, discussed these and other questions with Hedda Thielking from Lebensmittelpraxis.

Lebensmittel Praxis, April 22, 2025

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Climate Change: Thinking About Tomorrow Today

Prolonged heat, severe flooding, and new plant diseases: Climate change is putting pressure on both conventional and organic farmers worldwide. Take Spain, for example: In July 2024, the country—often referred to as Europe’s vegetable garden—experienced an extraordinary heat wave with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius. Fruchthandel.de reports on these challenges and on lehmann natur’s commitment to ensuring a stable supply of produce.

Fruchtportal.de, December 5, 2024

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In the Footsteps of the “Green Gold Miners”

Kenya is known not only for its impressive wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, but also for a green export hit: the avocado. For us at lehmann natur, the country has established itself as a leading producer of organic avocados—partly because it has abundant water resources.
Fruchthandels-Magazin reports on a fact-finding tour organized by the Import Promotion Desk, during which our buyer, Sebastian Zeh, was able to gain insight into the cultivation, storage, and logistics of “green gold.” In the process, he discovered small oases that also meet high European quality standards.

FRUCHTHANDEL ONLINE, November 5, 2024

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How can the retail sector increase the value added of fruits and vegetables through organic farming?

At a roundtable discussion, our CEO, Raphael Kennerknecht, joined industry representatives to discuss how organic farming can increase the value added by fruits and vegetables. During the discussion, he called for fair prices, less packaging, and greater consumer education.

Lebensmittel Praxis, October 30, 2024

The article appeared in Issue 17/2024 of *Lebensmittelpraxis*, the trade journal for the food retail industry
PDF: Roundtable | Greater Value Creation Through Organic Products | LP

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Criticism of the European Parliament’s Environmental Regulations

The European Parliament has relaxed environmental regulations for agriculture, prompting fierce criticism from environmentalists and experts such as Raphael Kennerknecht of Lehmann Natur. He warns of negative consequences for soil quality and biodiversity, which could be exacerbated by these changes. Of particular concern are the relaxations regarding fallow land and buffer strips, which could lead to soil erosion and water pollution.
The article highlights the EU’s controversial measures and emphasizes the need to give greater consideration to long-term environmental impacts and the protection of natural resources.

BIOPress, May 31, 2024

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Resilience Beyond the Norm

Challenges in the fruit and vegetable trade and appropriate solutions. Biowelt interviewed us on this topic. Our managing director, Raphael Kennerknecht, answered their questions.
The article not only highlights the agricultural challenges posed by drought and extreme weather events such as El Niño, but also emphasizes the need for close collaboration with various stakeholders to build resilience in times of crisis.

BIOwelt, January 2024 issue.

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Eco-Field Days Provided an Exciting Platform for Value Chains

At this year’s Eco Field Days in Ditzingen-Hirschlanden, the panel discussion on the topic “30% Organic—Now More Than Ever!” at the Bivano and Lehmann Natur booth was a highlight. The entire value chain was represented on the panel, which fostered communication among the various parties. The overarching question was what is needed to achieve the 30% organic target by 2030.

Fruit Trade, July 10, 2023

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“The impacts of climate change require financial resources for building resilience, which must be borne by the value chain”

Last year, the organic industry faced a variety of challenges. The situation appears to remain tense this year as well. In response to our inquiry, Lisa Kadagies, communications manager at lehmann natur, explained how this has affected the company’s organic bananas and organic limes. “Generally speaking, retail demand for premium organic products—such as bananas—is declining. With organic limes, however, we’ve actually seen an increase in demand. At lehmann natur, we source organic and Demeter-certified limes from a smallholder cooperative in Colombia. Our sister company, Biofrusan, also sources organic and Demeter-certified bananas from Colombia and the Dominican Republic.”

Freshplaza, March 14, 2023

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FRUIT LOGISTICA 2023 Reports a Successful Outcome

63,470 trade visitors and buyers from over 140 countries, as well as 2,610 exhibitors from 92 countries—this year’s leading trade fair for the global fruit trade was more international than ever and brought together the industry’s key players. Lisa Kadagies, Marketing Manager at Lehmann Natur: “We experienced a positive atmosphere from all sides at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Our business is heavily focused on overseas markets, as we source organic products from around the world. The trade show gives us the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. At the same time, there is also a sense of concern in the conversations, as the organic sector is experiencing a decline for the first time. But it is precisely in times like these that personal interaction and meeting at trade shows are important.”

Fruit Logistica, February 14, 2023

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Resilient Agriculture – lehmann natur at Trade Shows: Fruit Logistica & Biofach 2023

Hopeful, promising agricultural solutions and optimistic plans for the future—with this conviction, lehmann natur, an importer of organic fruits and vegetables, Demeter and permaculture standards, will be exhibiting in February at the industry-relevant trade shows Fruit Logistica in Berlin and Biofach in Nuremberg. Why? Burying our heads in the sand and scaling back organic production cannot and must not be the solution, because the need for resilient, sustainable agricultural systems is becoming increasingly clear.
The theme that lehmann natur hopes to use to engage in conversation with producers and food retailers at trade shows is “Resilient Agriculture.” This brings together the core topics of the organic importer from Meerbusch: organic and biodynamic agriculture, permaculture, and heirloom seeds.

Fruit Portal, January 17, 2023

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Focus on Growth – Lehmann Natur, Europe’s Largest Organic Lime Distributor, Reports on Its Trip to Colombia

A flagship project for Colombia that combines economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility: Small-scale organic lime farmers produce for the European market. Through the close partnership and consistent purchase of produce between Lehmann Natur and the smallholder cooperative, the farmers’ livelihoods are secured—with the goal of achieving significant growth by 2027.
During its annual trip to South America, lehmann natur visited its long-standing partner and producer of organic, Demeter, and Fairtrade limes. lehmann natur and Orange Export have been collaborating since the very beginning and have built up the project together: “We started with five smallholder farmers and, together, have been able to increase the number of farms to over 60 over the past six years—by 2027, we want to significantly expand the project and plan to grow to twice the current number of smallholder farmers,” said Martin Jacobfeuerborn, Head of Purchasing at lehmann natur.

bio Press, August 12, 2022

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lehmann natur Sets the Standard for Climate Positivity at FRUIT LOGISTICA

A new booth was developed for FRUIT LOGISTICA, entirely in line with the theme “Climate-Positive Agriculture Through Permaculture.” To achieve this, several factors must align. According to lehmann natur, the path to climate positivity—and thus a potential way out of the climate crisis—lies in our soils.
Over the past two years, consumer interest in
climate-neutral products has increased. This, combined with demands to reduce thecarbon footprint, is also reflected in the retail sector.

Fruchthandel Online, March 31, 2022

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We are fostering consumer interest in open-pollinated organic seeds

As early as 1988, Lehmann Natur committed itself to the idea of enabling all consumers to enjoy sustainably grown organic fruits and vegetables. A lot has happened since then. While organic products have successfully moved beyond their niche status, the Meerbusch-based wholesaler has established its own farms in Spain and successfully transitioned to Demeter and permaculture. Rather than operating solely as a buying and selling company, lehmann natur sees itself as a producer—and as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture. This year, the company launched its own seed brand, “LEHMANNS Bio-Saaten.” How did this come about? Our communications manager, Ina Hiester, spoke with Christina Marandi, head of quality management, and Lisa Kadagies, communications and sustainability manager, about this.

Lebende Samen e. V. July 13, 2021

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