Leadership Award Fresh Del Monte Honored with 2025 Sustainability Recognition
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, has once again proven its commitment to global sustainability and corporate responsibility. The company announced that it has been named a winner in the 2025 Sustainability Awards, an honor presented annually by the Business Intelligence Group. Fresh Del Monte was recognized in the prestigious Sustainability Leadership category, underscoring the company’s significant efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, advance social good, and align sustainable practices with measurable business results.
This recognition places Fresh Del Monte among a select group of global organizations whose actions demonstrate that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies can drive long-term growth and innovation. The company’s leadership in sustainability has been steadily shaping the fresh produce industry, balancing profitability with responsibility to the planet and society.
The Importance of the Sustainability Awards
The Business Intelligence Group’s Sustainability Awards are designed to spotlight organizations, projects, and individuals who turn sustainability into a core operational strength rather than a side initiative. Winners are chosen through a competitive evaluation process carried out by a panel of business leaders who assess performance, innovation, and quantifiable outcomes across ESG pillars.
In announcing the winners, Russ Fordyce, Chief Recognition Officer of the Business Intelligence Group, emphasized how sustainability is no longer optional but expected in today’s business environment.
“Sustainability has moved from aspiration to expectation,” Fordyce said. “The 2025 Sustainability Awards celebrate those who embed ESG at the core of their operations—turning climate action, circular design, and community impact into real competitive advantage. We’re proud to recognize Fresh Del Monte for showing what’s possible when profit and planet share the same roadmap.”
The acknowledgment highlights not just Fresh Del Monte’s corporate strategy but also its execution—demonstrating tangible, impactful results rather than promises.
Exceeding Targets Ahead of Schedule
Among the most notable achievements driving Fresh Del Monte’s recognition was the company’s success in meeting its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas reduction targets seven years ahead of schedule, a milestone publicly reported in its 2023 Sustainability Report. Scope 1 and 2 reductions focus on emissions from company-owned operations and purchased energy, respectively—areas where measurable progress can make a profound impact.
Achieving such a goal years ahead of schedule is rare in global agriculture and food production. This accomplishment reflects deliberate action across multiple fronts, including operational innovation, fleet modernization, and adoption of advanced agricultural practices.
Key Sustainability Initiatives
Fresh Del Monte has pioneered a variety of projects that contributed to this recognition:
- Modernizing its Ocean Fleet
The company invested in six new, fuel-efficient vessels designed to reduce emissions during the transport of fresh produce worldwide. Shipping remains one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in global supply chains, so modernizing vessels not only reduces the company’s footprint but also sets a precedent for the shipping and logistics sector. - Del Monte Zero® Pineapple
Fresh Del Monte launched the Del Monte Zero® carbon-neutral pineapple, a first-of-its-kind product in the produce industry. This innovation combines responsible farming practices, verified carbon offsets, and an emphasis on transparency to meet rising consumer demand for products that align with their environmental values. By offering a carbon-neutral fruit, Fresh Del Monte has translated its sustainability mission directly to the consumer marketplace. - Advanced Agricultural Technology
Leveraging technology has been a cornerstone of Fresh Del Monte’s approach. The company has deployed software and precision agriculture tools that monitor plant nutrient requirements in real time. This reduces excess fertilizer use, minimizes nutrient runoff, and curbs associated emissions. Such initiatives not only protect ecosystems but also enhance soil health and crop yields, making farming more resilient and sustainable.
Collectively, these efforts demonstrate how Fresh Del Monte integrates innovation into every stage of its vertically integrated business—from farms and supply chains to shipping and distribution.
A Company-Wide Commitment
For Fresh Del Monte, sustainability is not confined to environmental stewardship. The company also focuses heavily on the social dimensions of sustainability, including community development, employee well-being, and responsible sourcing. Its supply chain touches thousands of lives, and the company has worked consistently to ensure that the benefits extend beyond business operations to the communities it serves.
Hans Sauter, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate R&D and Agriculture at Fresh Del Monte, emphasized this holistic approach when reflecting on the award.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our teams across the globe,” Sauter said. “While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, we know there is always more to be done—and we’ll continue advancing sustainable practices that protect our planet and benefit the communities we serve.”
Sauter’s words highlight how the company views sustainability as a continuous journey, rather than a finished goal.
Driving Industry Transformation
As one of the largest global producers and distributors of fresh produce, Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability practices carry weight beyond its own operations. By demonstrating that sustainability can align with profitability, the company is influencing industry standards and encouraging others in the agricultural and food sectors to take meaningful action.
The company’s work with carbon-neutral products, sustainable fleet modernization, and cutting-edge farming techniques serves as a model for how innovation can solve some of the food industry’s most pressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, the company’s transparency in publishing its achievements and challenges in annual sustainability reports helps set a precedent for accountability in ESG practices.
