2003
2003 - Dries Porreye Joins the Fruit Business!
Dries, the eldest son of Piet and Veerle, grew up among the orchards of Haspengouw and agricultural machinery.
He attended horticulture school in Sint-Truiden, but sitting still in a classroom wasn’t really his thing. Theory is nice, but growing fruit is something you truly learn among the fruit trees. Like his father, he quickly chose to get involved in the family business.
Bringing a picnic to dad Piet: a cooler full of goodies and an orchard full of memories.
Integrated Fruit Growing
Piet and Dries specialize in integrated fruit growing (environmentally conscious fruit production) of apples and pears. This is a farming method that cleverly works with nature. The aim is to strike a balance between a healthy harvest and minimal environmental impact. For example, chemical pesticides are replaced as much as possible by natural predators of harmful insects, and water and nutrients are managed efficiently to prevent waste.
The Start of BVBA DEMETER
With Dries on board, it was time for the next step: Piet’s sole proprietorship was transformed into a modern company, BVBA DEMETER. The business continued to grow and now covers 25 hectares of its own orchards, with a cold storage complex that can store 500 tons of fruit under ULO conditions, ensuring optimal freshness and quality.
We chose the name BVBA DEMETER because it perfectly matches our vision of fruit growing. Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility and harvest, symbolizes harmony with nature and respect for the seasons. This is exactly how we want to operate. Growing fruit is not an industry but a process that requires patience and insight. With integrated farming, we focus on natural pest control, smart water management, and minimal chemical interventions. By working with nature's rhythm rather than forcing it, we ensure a healthy harvest today and fertile orchards for the future.
Share with friends:
1978
In 1978, Piet Porreye started as a fruit grower, driven by his passion for fruit. This love for fruit, passed down from generation to generation, still lives on at PIPO.
2006
Veerle Van Hoof, wife of Piet, steps away from her usual job to fully support a new project. Veerle creates PIPO Apple Juice! PIPO, named after Piet Porreye.
2007
A collaboration was established with a contract juicer who produced the PIPO bottles. The first bottle rolls off the production line. Both young and old quickly become convinced of the quality of these healthy juices, and PIPO quickly becomes a trendy and successful brand product.
In-house production of low-sugar jams and syrups. Thanks to the selection of fruit varieties, guaranteed freshness, unique packaging, and careful finishing, these are niche products sold exclusively at home.
2011
A strong focus is placed on tourism. In the middle of the orchards, a star tent is set up where thousands of tourists, through organized company visits, see and hear how beautiful fruit cultivation is. They get to know the family business and taste the delicious local products.
2012
The idea of taking full control of production becomes a reality. Brecht Porreye, the second son of Piet and Veerle, decides to join the company and take over the production.
1 April 2014
1 November 2016
