Fyffes Honduran Melon Farms Receive GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Certification
Fyffes Honduran melon farms Melon Export (1) and Suragroh (2) have received the GLOBALG.A.P IFA certification, and the farm Soleado (3) was certified by GLOBALG.A.P. for their watermelon production, building on the transformation led by local management over the past two years. GLOBALG.A.P’s vision is to recognise farms for their efforts to produce safe food while safeguarding workers’ health and safety, the environment, and the welfare of local communities.
Fyffes began the transformation of its Honduran and Guatemalan melon businesses in 2021 with the appointment of new management, including the General Manager of Melon Operations Genivaldo Pereira. Since then, the farms have been on a journey of improvement in social and labour standards, environmental stewardship, and strong governance, including Suragroh’s receipt of the coveted Socially Responsible Company Seal from the Honduran Foundation for Socially Responsible Business (FUNDAHRSE) in 2022. The new GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification further demonstrates Fyffes ongoing commitment to advancing good agricultural and sustainable practices.
Speaking about the certification, Mr. Pereira said “I would like to thank all the people at Melon Export, Suragroh and Soleado and within the global compliance team who have worked very hard to achieve this important distinction. My goal since I joined Fyffes melon business, has been to transform the melon farms and packhouses so that we can grow the business. This certification is valued by our customers all over the world but especially in Europe, providing a springboard for global growth for our business and benefitting the local communities.”
Hugo Hays, Fyffes Global Director of Compliance and Food Safety, said: “In October 2001, Fyffes was the first company ever to receive GLOBALG.A.P. (EurepGAP) certification for bananas. We have been unwavering in our support of best agricultural practices since then, and it is with immense pride and gratitude to my colleagues that our melon operations are also now being recognised. Achieving this certification has needed some fundamental changes to our melon production systems and philosophy, which our teams have fully embraced, to offer full confidence to customers worldwide of our commitment to leading-edge compliance.”
(1) GGN 4063651579468
(2) GGN 4063651579550
(3) GGN: 4063651579444
