Gustav Heess has long been committed to the cultivation of jojoba plants (Simmondsia chinensis L.) in the Arauco Desert of Argentina, a region that offers ideal conditions for sustainable agriculture. The area is surrounded by two high-precipitation mountain ranges and has plenty of groundwater. Extreme temperatures of up to 50°C in summer and occasional lows below 0°C in winter, combined with water availability, are crucial for the optimal growth of jojoba plants, making continuous irrigation necessary during the hottest months.

The growing season begins in August with the flowering period and the first fruit sets towards the end of the year give an idea of the upcoming harvest. The harvest is initiated between March and April when the fruit discolors and bursts open and is then collected with the help of harvesting machines. Workers are busy all year round planting and caring for the more than 500 hectares of jojoba bushes. We maintain close contact with the growers to gain an insight into the expected harvest throughout the season and jointly determine the prices for the seeds after the harvest, which are based on quality and availability.

In 2015, we completed the construction of a modern oil mill equipped with the latest oil presses, which were developed in collaboration with a German machine manufacturer for the gentle processing of jojoba seeds. These innovations meet the highest international quality standards and guarantee compliance with our strict requirements through regular audits and quality controls. After being pressed, the native jojoba oil undergoes a deodorization process to reduce the odour and is then tested for quality in our in-house DIN ISO 17025-certified laboratory. Our native, low-odour jojoba oil is particularly popular in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, where a neutral odour is an advantage in order not to impair the effectiveness of other fragrances.