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1932 Acquisition of the farms “El Rosalino” and “Cortijo Las Palomas”
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1986 Antonio and Gregorio Fernández Montero take over agricultural activities
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1991 Birth of the brand “Cortijo Las Palomas”
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2007 Generational change. Arturo and Pedro take over from Antonio
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2010 Product range expansion. New warehouse
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New ort markets and warehouse
It all starts when in 1932 our grandfather, Anastasio Fernández, one of the very first Spanish farmers growing organic crops, purchases the farms “El Rosalino” and “Cortijo Las Palomas”. Both farms are conveniently located, not only because of weather conditions but also because of their fertile soils. Way before organic regulatory organisms came into being, Anastasio already grew his crops according to modern day organic agricultural standards.
In 1986, Antonio Fernández Montero and his brother Gregorio acquire the two farms, after which they decide to modernise machinery and start growing new crops such as organic olives from the Arbenquina variety. Believe it or not, but in 2016 our olive trees will be 30 years old!
Five years later, the brand “Cortijo Las Palomas” is born, the label with which we deposit our premium organic virgin extra olive oil. Antonio starts selling the olive oil on international markets, being one of the first Spanish organic olive oil producers setting up trade relations with Asian giant China. The Chinese are crazy about our extra virgen organic olive oil.
In 2007, Pedro and Arturo Fernández graduate from university. Armed with a university degree and language knowledge, they decide to take over from Antonio and to give the company a new, international dimension. This makes them the third generation dedicated to organic farming. In order to achieve their dream – producing and selling premium quality organic fruits and vegetables – the brothers carry out substantial improvements in the production and commercialisation processes and they invest in new, professional machinery. The very first product from their portfolio, organic green asparagus, are being packed in a small, 70 square feet warehouse on the family’s farm in Osuna.
Backed by our European clients, who feel we have the potential to provide them with organic fruits and vegetables, we decide to expand our product range from 1 to 6 products. In order to meet our clients’ demands, we move to a larger warehouse close to “El Rosalino”, our farm in Carmona, which was previously only used to stock our tractors and machines.
Both the demand for our products and our client portfolio keeps on growing, for which we are obliged to move to an even bigger warehouse. At the beginning of 2015, we move to a new, 1000 square meter building which complies with our client’s hygienic and quality standards.
This new warehouse, equipped with a big cold room, is located next to the motorway, which makes it easier to reach for our employees, which, in turn boosts work efficiency. Moreover, its strategic location makes transport to all corners of Europe a way lot easier.
Today, Fernández Montero y Leal exports to numerous European countries, amongst which Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, UK and Luxemburg.