Chiquita endorse 100% sustainable bananas by 2020

On Friday 29 November last, Chiquita Banana Company signed the Covenant preservation buying fresh fruit and vegetables. Chiquita with this confirm its involvement in preserving the banana chain further. The covenant with the aim to preserve fresh fruit and vegetables from Middle and South America, Africa and Asia in a period over eight years, is an initiative of IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). Before this all large supermarket chains and trading companies in the Netherlands already signed: Agrofair Benelux, Albert Heijn, C1000, SuperUnie, Eosta, Fairfields, Jaguar, Jumbo, Lidl, Nature's Pride, Staay Food Group, The Greenery, Van Oers United, Special Fruit, Bakker Barendrecht, Olympic Fruit and Fair and Organic Trading.

All parties involved want 30% in 2014 to 50% in 2015 to 100% volume of their sustainable products in 2020. ICCO, Solidaridad, the Productschap Tuinbouw and Frugi Venta support the Covenant with their sector knowledge. IDH will coordinate with them from this resulting Fruit and Vegetable program.

Franklin Ginus, Country Director Benelux: "The signing of the covenant joins us together 'Improving Lives, Loving our Planet, Leading our Industry'. The preservation of our products and social responsibility are with a view to present to future generations an important part of our business policy. We also look at the signing as a symbol to strive with our trading partners to a completely sustainable banana chain."

Joost Oorthuizen, executive director IDH: 'It is fantastic that Chiquita as a forerunner and well known consumer hallmark is part of the covenant. Twenty years ago already Chiquita certified its bananas through Rainforest Alliance. Their signature shows that sustainability is a continuing road of improvements and innovations.'