Chiquita focused on improving communities, reducing footprint
With regulations and scrutiny increasing in the U.S. and beyond, sustainability has become more than an industry buzzword. It’s shaping the way companies think about everything from product development to marketing and everything in between.
Chiquita Brands International, a global producer and distributor of bananas and other produce, has been focused on sustainability for 150 years. Since 1990, Chiquita has pursued “principled embeddedness,” its commitment to worldwide corporate responsibility. The concept involves bringing “long-term value to our local communities and helping them to grow by transferring knowledge and technology as well as increasing economic opportunities,” according to the company’s 2021-22 sustainability report.
Chiquita’s recently released 2024-25 sustainability report details the three pillars of its “Behind the Blue Sticker” program, established in 2015: Being a Good Neighbor; Farmer’s Code; and For the Greater Good. According to the report, 400 million people in 135 countries rely on the banana industry, underscoring the importance of programs such as Chiquita’s “30BY30” carbon reduction program.
The initiative, announced in 2021, aims to reduce carbon emissions across company operations by 30% by the end of 2030.
In its 2021-22 sustainability report, the company said it had reduced its carbon footprint by 29% since 2013. That report also highlighted the company’s focus on reducing food waste, noting that less than 1% of bananas were wasted from the company’s ripening and distribution operations.
“At Chiquita, we believe that the journey to a truly sustainable industry in all aspects simply makes sense — for the environment, for the future of our business and for our valued farming communities,” Carlos Lopez Flores, Chiquita president, said in the 2021-22 report.
Company representatives recently reached out to Produce Processing to share more about Chiquita’s sustainability story.
WHAT DOES THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO YOUR COMPANY, AND WHAT ARE SOME INITIATIVES YOU’VE UNDERTAKEN IN PURSUIT OF IT?
Chiquita: At Chiquita, sustainability is central to how we operate. Our sustainability approach, “Behind the Blue Sticker,” reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical business practices and community well-being. Key initiatives focus on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity and fostering sustainable farming.
A few of our main initiatives include our “30BY30” program, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, as well as Yelloway One, a new banana prototype resistant to the diseases endangering the world’s banana supply. Chiquita’s Sustainability Report 2024-25 is available for downloading at chiquita.com/sustainability/
HOW WERE THE COMPANY’S SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES DEVELOPED, AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE, BOTH INTERNALLY AND FROM CUSTOMERS?
Chiquita: We developed these initiatives by recognizing the impact climate change and resource depletion have on our business and communities.
The “30BY30” carbon reduction program was born from understanding the importance of reducing greenhouse gases to minimize Chiquita’s impact on climate change and thus ensuring long-term sustainability. This program has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Similarly, our commitment to biodiversity led to projects like the Nogal Reserve in Costa Rica, where we’ve preserved and restored tropical ecosystems.
These initiatives were implemented to not only improve environmental outcomes but also strengthen ties with local communities. Internally, our teams are fully engaged with these sustainability efforts, while customers and partners appreciate the transparency and impact, which is also recognized and endorsed by several external validations.
Yelloway One was developed as part of Chiquita’s strategic response to the growing threat of banana diseases like Tropical race 4 (TR4) and black sigatoka, which pose significant risks to global banana production. This non-GMO prototype was created through a collaborative effort with leading research institutions (KeyGene, MusaRadix and Wageningen University & Research), combining advanced genetic tools with classical breeding techniques. The goal was to reduce reliance on chemical treatments, protect biodiversity and ensure long-term food security for banana- growing regions.
Internally, the introduction of Yelloway One has been seen as a major breakthrough in sustainable agriculture, reinforcing Chiquita’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, and we look forward to bringing this banana prototype to market in the coming years.
WHAT PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABILITY?
Chiquita: Moving forward, Chiquita’s focus remains on amplifying our sustainability initiatives. We will continue to refine farming techniques, improve carbon efficiency, reduce food waste and explore new partnerships, such as with the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative to further reduce environmental impacts.
IS THERE DATA TO ILLUSTRATE THE GOALS ACHIEVED?
Chiquita: Since 2013, we’ve reduced carbon emissions by 29% eliminating over 700,000 tons of CO2 from our supply chain. On the agricultural front, we’ve achieved a 60% reduction in pesticide use per hectare since 2015. Additionally, our efforts to cut scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions have been significant, ensuring a long-term, positive impact on both the environment and local economies.
Beyond carbon reduction and sustainable agriculture, Chiquita actively invests in social programs, such as donating millions of bananas to Feeding America and promoting health initiatives like our “Small Change Big Difference” breast cancer campaign to support the American Cancer Society.
