SL Produce Backs Sustainable Farming Amid Sinaloa Drought

SL Produce is ramping up its investment in sustainable agriculture in response to a prolonged drought in Sinaloa, which has caused significant crop losses and reduced regional output, the company announced in a July 30 press release. The company, which grows and exports vegetables under its Tenderland brand, stated that its strategy now emphasizes soil health, varietal trials, and the establishment of a dedicated soil regeneration department. These efforts are part of a broader shift aimed at preserving 2024 production volumes rather than pursuing expansion amid increasingly volatile weather patterns.

SL Produce’s latest initiatives include soil restoration treatments using beneficial bacteria and marine algae, as well as trials of crop varieties more resilient to extreme climate conditions. The company noted that its sustainability plan is regional in scope and applies across all operational zones, emphasizing that the drought has affected agricultural producers throughout Sinaloa.

“Sustainability is not a marketing strategy—it is the foundation of our business,” said Ivonne Lugo, SL Produce’s marketing and public relations manager. “The topic of sustainability might sound appealing and can help with sales, but for us, the backbone of the business is restoring the soil to what it once was.”

Lugo stressed that investing in sustainability is essential to the company’s long-term survival: “We are dealing with a changing climate beyond our control, a drought that has impacted everyone in the region, and other external pressures. All of this has compelled us to take sustainability seriously. Without a focus on soil regeneration, our business would cease to exist. There would be no land left to cultivate.” She added that the company has drawn inspiration from innovations in California, Australia, and Japan to shape a more resilient and adaptive business model.

SL Produce cultivates a diverse range of vegetables, including green beans, bell peppers, American slicer cucumbers, zucchini, sweetcorn, yellow squash, and grey squash. In light of the growing frequency of extreme weather events, the company has relocated part of its production to southern states such as Jalisco and Guanajuato in an effort to mitigate risk and ensure supply continuity.