Established in 1879 in the Netherlands, HVA International is a globally recognized agricultural company and asset manager with a long history in the development of tropical agriculture projects, focusing primarily on Africa and Southeast Asia.
HVA has a differentiated focus on agriculture, leveraging our many years of experience when developing our assets and our unique approach to investing, managing and operating large-scale agricultural projects.
Thanks to our longstanding experience, we know that no two agricultural projects are alike, especially in Emerging & Frontier Markets where we usually operate. We are therefore accustomed to developing tailor-made solutions that satisfy all stakeholders.
Natural disasters are becoming all the more frequent and severe, in particular hurricanes, wildfires and flash floods. People and livelihoods are affected adversely on a much greater scale than ever before. HVA possesses the know-how and requisite methodology regarding the services needed to restore the damage incurred by such disasters.
Our investment strategy is to secure fixed long-term contracts with large multi-national off-taker(s) to guarantee the purchase of products from the farming assets that we manage or co-own.
During its extensive history, HVA has developed a favorable reputation among government agencies, clients, stakeholders, and local populations in dozens of countries around the world, so our reputation often precedes us when implementing a new project.
HVA implements agro-industrial projects with the aim of maximizing yields while lowering environmental impact, thereby optimizing returns both for our investments and the planet. We have been aligned with the UN-formulated SDGs ever since the late Kofi Annan literally laid them out at our doorstep.
HVA co-founded the Royal Tropical Institute in The Netherlands in 1910, which in turn founded the Dutch SDG House where HVA serves on the Board of Directors. As HVA, we are aware that substantial improvements in net economic returns can be achieved without compromising environmental quality. In fact, employing land more efficiently not only generates decent work and growth opportunities, but also promotes responsible production. Ultimately, this drives the enhancement of food security and reduction of hunger.
- Miltiadis Gkouzouris - CEO, HVA International
HVA International has a longstanding record of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations at both the firm and investment company-level. We are committed to addressing real, imminent challenges in the global agribusiness sector by championing companies that deliver meaningful solutions that support Food Security, Economic Growth, Human Rights and a Positive Environmental Impact. We leverage some of the industry’s most significant frameworks, supported by sector-leading metrics, to guide us in our reporting metrics. Our close collaboration allows for timely and transparent reporting to our key stakeholders.
While our know-how in building up ventures in emerging and frontier markets is important, we are always heavily dependent on the support and cooperation of local communities and workers. Before the Green Revolution, HVA at times had more than 200.000 people working on the various farm projects. Ensuring decent work, livable incomes, economic growth and safe working conditions is a core value that we have abided from the outset.
The global population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, and more food will be needed to meet global demands. Better cultivation strategies that close yield gaps, along with smarter spatial planning, can reduce the land footprint of agriculture while increasing global calories produced significantly. HVA is responsible for the production of essential calories in developing regions through its core activities, thereby contributing to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, while promoting sustainable agriculture.
HVA places great emphasis on sustainable and responsible production. Given the sector's significant influence on both its employees and consumers, it is of paramount importance to acknowledge our responsibility in this regard. An example of this commitment is HVA's Ethiopian sugar factories, where HVA has constructed housing, schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities. Initially, HVA had 350 expatriates working in Ethiopia; however, thanks to extensive training programs, HVA successfully transitioned these roles to local workers. As a result, only a small number of expatriates retained.
HVA has owned, constructed and managed thousands of projects in more than 100 countries since 1879.
The Dutch government abolished slavery in its former territories, including Indonesia, in 1860. There was then a transition period of 10 years during which the practice was completely eradicated. HVA was established in 1879 and during its initial years operated solely as a trading company. HVA has therefore never been involved in any way, shape or form, in the colonial practice of slavery. HVA possesses a unique and extensive archive that meticulously documents its history and through this archive and with the help of historians employed by HVA we have found no evidence of any use whatsoever of slavery, child labor or other human rights violations. On the contrary, HVA were trailblazers when it came to taking care of workers on its plantations and established not only schools and hospitals but even pension plans so as to ensure positive community development. Aligned with HVA’s ESG Policy, HVA recognizes and embraces its serious responsibility to protect, preserve, and promote human rights worldwide. Given HVA's access and knowledge, we firmly believe that we can and should play a significant role in advocating for these fundamental rights.
