Despite climate change, geopolitical tensions and strikes in Panama putting severe pressure on the banana sector, Fyffes says it has leveraged its farming expertise and logistics operations to guarantee consistent supply
Fyffes has said it is continuing to work hard with its partners to guarantee consistent banana supply despite the challenges faced by the sector.
In a statement, the fresh produce company said it is working diligently on its own farms and with its long-term suppliers to secure premium quality bananas despite industry-wide challenges.
It highlighted the “severe pressure” the banana business has faced in recent months from global climate change, geopolitical tensions and strikes in Panama.
Despite this, Fyffes said it has ”stayed ahead of the curve”, leveraging its farming expertise, trusted grower network, and resilient logistics operations to ensure uninterrupted deliveries.
“Thanks to the geographical diversity of our farming and sourcing operations and our close collaboration with our long-term growing partners, Fyffes is guaranteeing premium-quality fruit not just for the season ahead but also for the long-term,” noted Sheila Morrison, chief supply officer at Fyffes.
Frank Burkhardt, chief commercial officer at Fyffes, outlined: “Not only do we have this unrivalled close relationship with growers, we are also committed to radical transparency, human rights due diligence, sustainability and community investment.
”Our robust logistics network means that our fruit lands at exactly the right moment in the right place.”
Factors negatively impacting banana supply this season include significant climate events in Latin America leading to productivity decline, increased demand for Latin American fruit from Asia due to decline in regional production, strikes in Panama, trade restrictions in Algeria as well as regional conflict and increased security controls in Latin America.
At Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Fyffes said it will share its ”bold category vision” under the tagline ‘Let the Good Grow’ along with brand strategies and several innovations.
These will include a showcase of Trudi’s latest consumer communications; a fresh consumer campaign for the world’s first fruit brand, Fyffes Blue Label; and a look at Fyffes’ Special Reserve Pineapples, which were recently introduced by Rewe in Germany and Carrefour in Spain.
Other developments include customer briefings on new sustainable packaging innovations, Maersk’s partnership on new shipping routes designed to mitigate against climate and optimise on time delivery, and the launch of Fyffes’ latest Sustainability Report showing it has met and exceeded many sustainability targets.
“At Fruit Attraction we aim to forge multi-year partnerships with retailers so that together we see benefits right across the supply chain for workers, communities, consumers and the planet,” Burkhardt added.
