Panama: Panamanian pineapple obtains international certification

Dolce Pineaple, the pineapple production company with headquarters in Gualaca, Chiriquí, received two international certifications in October. The first one was offered by the Rainforest Alliance association and the second was the GlobalGAP certification. Luis Rios Espinoza, president of Dolce Pineapple, indicated that the certifications guarantee the pineapple's export advance in the country even more.

The company, through Chiquita Brands, has been exporting 24 containers monthly to Belgium, Germany and Italy since last year. Rainforest Alliance's representatives explained that the certification was the first one offered to a pineapple production company in Latin America and the second one in the world.

The certifications, besides the pineapples’ quality, are important elements so that the international markets know they comply to the nature respect norms and besides the good management of crops, indicated Rivers. During the certification process labor relations and the relations with communities are being taken into account and where the plantations are found, as well as the food processing companies, the agroindustrial said.

Dolce Pineapple destined 110 hectares to the pineapple production and processing in the cattle raiser region of Veladero of Gualaca. The previous cattle raiser production generated only 4 to 5 jobs in the region, now we include 170 permanent workers with growing possibilities, explains Rivers.

Publication date: 11/9/2007
Author: Laura Garcia
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

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