Fresh produce giant and the IFPA are collaborating as they strive to advance industry-wide supply chain transformation
Fresh Del Monte Produce and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) have announced a strategic partnership through IFPA’s Supply Chain of the Future initiative.
As part of the collaboration, Fresh Del Monte has committed to executive sponsorship of two of the initiative’s key steering committees: Harmonized Standards and Shelf-Life Prediction.
“Backed by more than 135 years of operational expertise and a global supply chain spanning over 90 countries, Fresh Del Monte is helping lead the transformation toward a more transparent, efficient, and data-driven fresh produce ecosystem,” a joint statement read.
With Del Monte’s chief operating officer Mohammed Abbas serving as executive sponsor, the company will deploy experienced leaders to actively contribute to the initiative’s working groups.
Raul Saca, senior vice president of global logistics and former executive at Maersk and DP World, will lead engagement in the Harmonized Standards committee, which will identify and align existing standards relevant to fresh produce supply chain.
Walter Tordoff, vice president of global quality assurance, will spearhead Del Monte’s involvement in the Shelf-Life Prediction workstream.
The Shelf-Life Working Group will define critical data requirements for effective shelf-life prediction and identify compelling use cases that demonstrate value across the supply chain.
“Waste across the supply chain is one of the most urgent issues facing our industry,” said Abbas.
“There’s so much waste out there – and what’s missing is predictability and a more integrated supply chain.
”Fixing just those two things could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings,” he explained.
The Supply Chain of the Future initiative is built on four foundational pillars: Shelf-Life Prediction, Dynamic Incentives, Harmonized Standards, and Smart Data Escrow.
Fresh Del Monte said its engagement underscores its commitment to tackling inefficiencies and reducing food waste at scale.
“Retailers today contend with 4 to 8 per cent shrink on the shelf,” added Abbas. “That level of waste is unnecessary – we have the tools and data to do better.”
Steve Alaerts, chair of IFPA’s Supply Chain Council, emphasised the collaborative nature of the programme.
“Data doesn’t move food. Collaboration does,” he said. “This initiative is about bringing the industry together to break down data silos and foster trust across the supply chain.”
Drew Zabrocki, innovation lead for the initiative, said it was “thrilled” to welcome Del Monte to the movement.
“This isn’t just a trend – it’s a revolution,” he commented.
”We’re not talking about incremental change. We’re building a new operating reality where data transparency and collaboration deliver value for all, from grower to consumer.”
The initiative’s white paper outlines the broader stakes: “The fresh produce industry stands at a precipice. We can continue with outdated, extractive business models that stifle innovation, or we can embrace a new era of open collaboration, where data empowers every stakeholder and fuels a more sustainable and equitable future.”
“The crossroads is clear,” Alaerts pointed out. “Embrace open collaboration or risk continued value erosion.
”With leaders like Fresh Del Monte, we are creating an open, interoperable framework to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and create shared value through partnership rather than extraction.”
