About Hortitool Consulting

Hortitool Consulting is an independent agronomy consultancy specialized in berry crops, with strong field experience supporting farms and agribusinesses across multiple countries. We help producers and investors build profitable, consistent blueberry (and other berry) operations by combining practical “in-the-field” crop expertise with modern data-driven decision tools.

From new farm design to full-season technical supervision, our approach is hands-on and results-focused: better yield forecasting, stronger fruit quality, more efficient irrigation/fertigation, and tighter harvest and postharvest performance—always aligned with food safety and market requirements.

Key facts

  • Specialization: Blueberry, raspberry, Blackberry and strawberry (open field and substrate systems).

  • Core expertise: Farm set-up and scale-up, crop management, irrigation & fertigation programs, pruning/strategy, fruit quality improvement, harvest & postharvest protocols, staff training.

  • Tools & methods: Field diagnostics, KPI dashboards, drainage/leaching interpretation, recipe development (incl. molar concentration models when required), and  workflows for yield forecasting.

  • Deliverables: farm assessment, reportsTechnical audits, seasonal programs, SOPs/checklists, training materials, and management support for operational teams.

The company offers

Consulting services tailored to each client’s production system and market goals, including:

  • Technical farm audits (substrate or soil): irrigation uniformity, fertigation strategy, crop load/fruit size drivers, and risk mapping

  • Seasonal crop programs: irrigation/fertigation schedules, foliar nutrition, growth stimulation strategy, and integrated crop protection guidance (in line with local regulations and buyer standards)

  • Fruit quality & shelf-life optimization: harvest readiness criteria, cooling chain protocols, packhouse process alignment, and KPI tracking

  • Training & capacity building: practical on-farm training for agronomy teams, harvest crews, supervisors, and management

  • Project development support: new farm planning, operational structure, role definitions, and technical commissioning

 

Contact information

Hortitool Consulting
E-mail: jduarte@hortitoolconsulting.pt

Contact person
Jorge Duarte
CEO/ Senior Agronomist & International Berry Consultant
E-mail:  jduarte@hortitoolconsulting.pt
https://hortitoolconsulting.pt/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-duarte-5ba3b236/.