BioTropic

What BioTropic does

BioTropic GmbH is a German organic produce importer, exporter, and distributor headquartered in Duisburg, founded in 1997. The company sources fresh organic fruits and vegetables from producer partnerships in over 20 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Europe, then distributes them through the European Naturkostfachhandel (natural food retail) channel. BioTropic operates wholly-owned offices in seven countries — Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Ivory Coast, and Spain — with field sales teams managing local producer coordination, quality audits, customs clearance, and B2B sales. The company maintains a proprietary Duisburg-based ripening facility comprising eight computer-controlled banana chambers and four mango/exotic-fruit chambers using ethylene-nitrogen gas mixtures, remotely operable via internet, with ripening times of 4–8 days. Own agricultural engineers are stationed globally to take soil, leaf, and fruit samples, oversee cultivation, and ensure compliance with an extensive certification stack (Demeter, Naturland, Bioland, EU-Bio, FairTSA, FLO-Cert, IFS, BRC, GlobalG.A.P., BNN-Monitoring, Bio Suisse, BSCI).

The company's revenue derives from wholesale trading margins on bulk fresh produce, complemented by four proprietary sub-brands: the BioTropic/BTR own-brand line (coffee, coconut products, dried fruits, cashews, sultanas, dates), the greenorganics entry-level organic staple-food brand launched in 1999 (distributed via 11 regional natural food wholesalers), Vida Feliz organic wine from Spain, and HEISSZEIT frozen pizza co-developed with Die Regionalen group. BioTropic does not sell direct-to-consumer; all branded and unbranded products flow through organic specialty stores and natural food wholesalers across Germany and Europe. Pricing is governed by the GVB (Geschäftsbedingungen beim Verkehr mit Obst und Gemüse) and is not publicly disclosed.

BioTropic is privately held with no parent company, no external investors, and no disclosed funding rounds. The company is led by Managing Director Andree Mols, with Ronald Vianen, Sascha Suler, and country-level Betriebsleiter forming the operational leadership. Key strategic assets include multi-decade producer partnerships (Milagros in the Dominican Republic since 1997, Ivoire Organics in Ivory Coast since 2008), PPP co-funding arrangements with SEQUA and DEG, and over 100 hectares of own Demeter apple cultivation in Meckenheim. Ownership and capital structure remain opaque as the company does not disclose financials.

Name

BioTropic

Legal name

Gesellschaft zur Erzeugung und zum Vertrieb ökologischer Produkte mbH

Website

https://biotropic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BioTropic GmbH is a German organic produce importer and distributor founded in 1997, sourcing fresh fruits and vegetables from over 20 countries for European natural food retailers. It also sells branded organic products (BTR, greenorganics, HEISSZEIT, Vida Feliz) through the Naturkostfachhandel channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Produce Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Organic Produce Wholesale (AFAIAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Natural & Organic Foods Distribution (CRAOABAH), Organic & Natural Private Label & Brand Distribution (Wholesale) (AFAIAJAL)

Keywords

• Organic produce wholesale
• Fresh fruit distribution
• Fair trade agriculture
• Organic food import export
• Natural food retail supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Duisburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fresh Organic Produce Trading: BioTropic imports and exports a wide variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables globally, trading between producing regions (Africa, Latin America, Europe) and European markets. The company operates as a wholesale trader and distributor, moving products from its own farming projects and partner producers through ripening facilities and distribution to natural food retailers. Revenue is generated through margins on bulk commodity trading of perishable goods.
2. Branded Dry Product Line (BioTropic Brand): BioTropic sells its own branded processed organic products including coffee (Peru), coconut products (Sri Lanka), dried fruits (Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast), cashew nuts (Tanzania), and raisins (Turkey). These are marketed under the BioTropic brand with emphasis on fair trade, organic certification, and origin transparency. Revenue is generated on packaged consumer goods sold through natural food retailers.
3. greenorganics Entry Brand: A private-label entry-level organic brand launched in 1999 covering staple foods including flours, grains, rice, pasta, legumes, oils, spreads, and coffee. Carried by 11 regional natural food wholesalers and available in natural food stores nationwide. Revenue through bulk wholesale orders to independent natural food retailers.
4. Vida Feliz Organic Wine: BioTropic's own organic wine brand from Spain, available in red (Tinto) and white (Blanco) in 1-litre bottles, sold exclusively in natural food stores. Revenue from packaged wine sales through the natural food retail channel.
5. HEISSZEIT Frozen Pizza: A frozen pizza brand developed with Die Regionalen group, featuring handmade, stone-oven quality pizzas with long-fermented dough (24 hours), 100% organic ingredients, no additives, sold exclusively in natural food retail. Revenue from packaged frozen food sales.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BioTropic imports, exports, and wholesale-distributes certified organic fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from over 20 countries into European natural food retail markets. In addition to fresh produce, the company sells proprietary branded processed product lines under the BioTropic (BTR), greenorganics, HEISSZEIT, and Vida Feliz brands through natural food specialty stores and wholesale distributors, supported by own banana and mango ripening facilities and on-site agricultural engineering for producer quality management.

Product overview

BioTropic is a German organic produce import/export company founded in 1997, offering a diverse portfolio of fresh organic fruits and vegetables sourced from over 20 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The core offering consists of fresh produce including bananas (Milagros project, Dominican Republic), mangos, pineapples, avocados, apples, citrus fruits, and vegetables. Complementing the fresh produce are proprietary sub-brands: BTR organic products (coffee, coconut oil/milk/chips, dried fruits), greenorganics entry-level organic basic foods, HEISSZEIT frozen pizzas, and Vida Feliz organic wines. All offerings are tied together under the Organic Impact Farming philosophy emphasizing fair partnerships, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BTR: Own product line including coffee (Peru), coconut products (Sri Lanka), dried fruits, cashews (Tanzania), sultanas (Turkey), dates (Tunisia). Fair trade, organically grown, directly from origin countries.
• greenorganics
• HEISSZEIT
• Vida Feliz

Products and services

• BioTropic Fresh Organic Produce BioTropic's core offering of certified organic fresh fruits and vegetables sourced globally from Africa, Latin America, Europe, and other regions. Products include bananas, mangoes, pineapples, avocados, apples, oranges, grapes, lemons, pears, coconuts, dates, and vegetables such as onions, zucchini, sweet potatoes, paprika, turmeric, pumpkin, kohlrabi, carrots, ginger, cucumbers, fennel, broccoli, and cauliflower. Distributed throughout Europe with a focus on sustainability and fair trade partnerships, offered in numerous packaging variants.
• BioTropic Own Brand (BTR) Products BioTropic's proprietary branded processed organic products including BTR coffee (whole bean and ground, sourced from Peru), BTR coconut products (oil 200ml and 500ml, milk 400ml, chips from Sri Lanka), dried fruits (from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast), cashews (Tanzania), sultanas (Turkey), and dates (Tunisia). All products are EU-Bio certified and fair trade, sold through natural food retail.
• greenorganics BioTropic's entry-level organic brand launched in 1999, offering affordable organic basic foodstuffs. Portfolio includes flours and grain products, rice and pasta, legumes and oils, spreads, coffee, and more. Supported by 11 regional organic wholesalers, produced according to EU-Öko-Verordnung 889/2008, and available in organic specialty stores nationwide.
• HEISSZEIT Frozen Pizza Frozen pizza brand developed by BioTropic in partnership with Die Regionalen group. Features include long-fermented (24-hour) low-gluten dough, handmade topping, stone-oven baking, 100% organic ingredients, no artificial additives, and no outer packaging for reduced waste. Varieties include Margherita, Salami, and Funghi. Sold exclusively in organic specialty stores (Naturkostfachhandel).
• Vida Feliz Organic Wine Vida Feliz (Spanish for 'happy life') is BioTropic's organic wine brand from Spain, available in red (Tinto) and white (Blanco) varieties. The wines are 100% organic certified and vegan, made with classic Spanish grape varieties, and packaged in practical 1-liter bottles. Marketed as everyday wines suitable for pasta, grilling, or casual enjoyment, sold exclusively in natural food stores.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% harvest utilization with zero food waste — onions sourced from Egypt are fully utilized with no loss.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diima (Burkina Faso)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Diima is a producer group in Burkina Faso near Bobo-Dioulasso. 18 members, 56 ha, certified EU-Bio, GLOBALG.A.P. + GRASP, Naturland. Products: mangoes (fresh and dried). Mango variety is sourced from Amelie, Brooks and Kent trees. A pack station processes exclusively organic fruits.
• Buur Sine CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Buur Sine is a cooperative in Senegal (Niayes region) founded on BioTropic's initiative. 75 members, 125 ha, certified EU-Bio, Bio Suisse, GLOBALG.A.P., Naturland. Products: mangoes (fresh and dried), local trade of limes and cashews. The managing partner Amacodou Diouf organizes mango export and supports local social projects including schools, hospitals, and women's groups.
• Ivoire OrganicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008BioTropic partners with Ivoire Organics, a regional smallholder producer group in Ivory Coast (Korhogo, Bonoua, Assouinde, Jacqueville). Founded 2008. Approximately 50 producers, 1,172 ha of cultivation area. Certified BSCI, EU-Bio, GLOBALG.A.P. + GRASP. Products: fresh and dried pineapples, coconuts, and mangoes. BioTropic provides agricultural equipment, technical training, cold storage, and processing facilities. Around 200 farmers and employees benefit, impacting approximately 1,000 people. Annual export of approximately 150 containers.
• SEQUA gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008SEQUA (Senior Experten Service) is a non-profit development organization of German industry. BioTropic partnered with SEQUA for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) program starting in 2008 to introduce organic farming in Ivory Coast. SEQUA acted as the PPP promotion partner, supporting the introduction of biological agriculture in the country.
• ABA MediterraneacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic partners with ABA Mediterranea, an Italian cooperative comprising over 20 small family farms in Apulia and Basilicata. They produce cauliflower, fennel, chard, herbs, melons, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, peaches, and apricots alongside cauliflower — ensuring year-round employment and continuous market presence. Partnership has existed for over 10 years.
• Milagros CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilagros is BioTropic's flagship project in the Dominican Republic (Mao region). Seven small-scale farmers produce Demeter-certified organic bananas. The project includes social initiatives (school projects, social programs) and has been operating since the company's founding. Andree Mols serves as the managing director driving this project.
• greenorganics Network (11 Regional Natural Food Wholesalers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe greenorganics brand (launched 1999) is a movement supported by 11 regional natural food wholesalers who collectively supply independent natural food retail stores across Germany. The network has been strengthening organic specialty retail for over 25 years.
• FruitxchangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic cooperates with Fruitxchange for sourcing organic turmeric from Peru, focusing on regional value creation and fair trade structures.
• DoselvaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic cooperates with Doselva for sourcing organic turmeric from Nicaragua and ginger from Nicaragua, focusing on regional value creation, fair trade structures, and cooperative with small producers.
• Palm Fruits B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic works closely with Palm Fruits B.V. for sourcing Medjoul dates from Israel, ensuring highest social and ecological standards.
• Die Regionalen GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic developed the HEISSZEIT frozen pizza brand together with Die Regionalen group, a Berlin-based pizzeria manufacturer. The partnership combines authentic handmade quality with BioTropic's organic distribution network, sold exclusively in natural food retail.
• Horizontes OrgánicosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioTropic imports fresh Keitt mangoes from Ecuador through Horizontes Orgánicos, with import in June via sea freight.
• Iceberg AgricolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIceberg Agricola is a specialized pumpkin producer in South Africa supplying BioTropic with Butternut and Hokkaido pumpkins for the European market.
• Q-CapeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQ-Cape is a specialized pumpkin producer in South Africa supplying BioTropic with Butternut and Hokkaido pumpkins for the European market.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SanLucar: Germany-/Spain-based premium fresh produce brand sourcing fruit and vegetables globally for European retail — competes head-to-head with BioTropic in premium organic/bio produce supplied to European retailers.
• Nature's Pride: Netherlands-based importer/wholesaler of fresh fruits and vegetables (including organic ranges), serving European retail with broad exotics and citrus portfolios — closely comparable B2B produce trading scale and customer base to BioTropic.
• BanaBay: UK-based specialist banana and tropical fruit importer with EU ripener partnerships — closely comparable to BioTropic's banana-centric origin model (Milagros, Dominican Republic) and exotics ripening operations.
• EOSTA: Dutch wholesale distributor specializing in organic and fair-trade fresh fruits and vegetables across Europe, with own-brand programmes and a similar producer-direct sourcing model — a closely matching comparison to BioTropic's core trading business.

Broad incumbents

• Total Produce (now Dole plc): Globally diversified fresh produce conglomerate with European wholesale, produce trading, and ripening infrastructure — competes with BioTropic in banana ripening and tropical fruit supply across European retail channels.
• Greenyard: Belgium-headquartered, one of Europe's largest fresh, frozen, and prepared produce companies with global sourcing — a broad incumbent that competes with BioTropic in fresh produce supply to European retailers, especially on scale and category breadth.
• Alnatura: Germany's largest organic retail/wholesale brand operating Bioläden and supplying natural food stores — adjacent operator that both competes with and sources from BioTropic in the Naturkostfachhandel channel.

Emerging players

• Frutura: US/Austria-based organic and specialty fruit distributor with growing European footprint, supplying berries, citrus, and tropicals — an emerging premium-produce peer partially overlapping BioTropic's organic tropical and citrus categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biotropic
• Facebookfacebook.com/biotropicsl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BioTropic