Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has embarked on a significant initiative, aligning with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) through its Supply Chain of the Future programme. This strategic partnership aims to revolutionise the supply chain within the fresh produce industry, addressing longstanding challenges such as inefficiencies and wastage. With the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Abbas, at the helm as executive sponsor, Fresh Del Monte is committing resources to two pivotal steering committees: Harmonized Standards and Shelf-Life Prediction.
The involvement of seasoned leaders underscores Fresh Del Monte’s determination to enhance industry standards. Raul Saca, the Senior Vice President of Global Logistics and a former executive with Maersk and DP World, will lead efforts in the Harmonized Standards committee. This group is tasked with identifying and aligning existing standards that impact the fresh produce supply chain, a critical step towards establishing a more cohesive framework that can minimise redundancies and streamline processes.
Meanwhile, Walter Tordoff, the Vice President of Global Quality Assurance, will oversee the Shelf-Life Prediction workstream. This group will focus on defining essential data requirements necessary for accurate shelf-life predictions, alongside illustrating compelling use cases that demonstrate value across the entire supply chain. Abbas emphasised the pressing need for improvement, stating, “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.” Current estimates indicate that retailers experience between four and eight percent shrinkage in their supply chains, a figure that many industry experts deem unacceptable given available technologies and data.
Steve Alaerts, Chair of IFPA’s Supply Chain Council, asserted the importance of collaboration in this initiative, remarking, “Data doesn’t move food. Collaboration does. This initiative is about bringing the industry together to break down data silos and foster trust across the supply chain.” Such collaboration is increasingly vital as the fresh produce sector finds itself at a crossroads, needing to determine whether to persist with outdated practices or embrace a newly collaborative model that leverages data for enhanced sustainability and innovation.
The initiative’s white paper warns that the fresh produce industry stands at a crucial juncture. It poses a choice: continue supporting outdated business models that hinder progress or transition towards a more innovative and equitable future, powered by open collaboration and shared data. As part of these efforts, industry members are invited to engage in various avenues such as joining working groups or participating in the Supply Chain of the Future Symposium scheduled for June 9, 2025, a networking opportunity being held alongside IFPA’s The Washington Conference.
Following this symposium, Fresh Del Monte and IFPA plan to broaden pilot programs through strategic partnerships with a global showcase anticipated during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in October 2025.
Beyond the immediate partnership with IFPA, Fresh Del Monte continues to invest in innovative technologies and initiatives that reflect its commitment to sustainability. Recently, the company acquired a 39% stake in the Jordanian and UK-based tech startup Decapolis. This partnership seeks to leverage blockchain technology to enhance food safety and traceability, allowing consumers to track products from farm to fork. Similarly, Fresh Del Monte has collaborated with Inteligistics to digitise the data related to its logistics operations, optimising conditions for transport and storage, thereby reducing waste and costs significantly.
Fresh Del Monte’s ongoing sustainability endeavours are exemplified in its 2023 Sustainability Report, which revealed a 28% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing initial targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline. The commitment to environmental responsibility is further reflected in its biodiversity initiatives, such as preserving land for wildlife and planting over two million trees since 2016. Collaborations with firms like I Squared Capital are propelling the company into a new digital era, enhancing efficiency across its operational facets.
As these various initiatives unfold, the overarching theme remains clear: the fresh produce sector must evolve, harnessing collaboration and technology to create an integrated, sustainable supply chain for the future.
Reference Map
- Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and IFPA announcement about the Supply Chain of the Future initiative
- Details on Fresh Del Monte’s involvement in the supply chain and steering committees
- Fresh Del Monte’s investment in Decapolis for blockchain traceability solutions
- Collaboration with Inteligistics for data-driven operations
- 2023 Sustainability Report highlights
- Partnership with I Squared Capital for digital transformation efforts
- Fresh Del Monte’s commitment to sustainability and environmental goals
Source: Noah Wire Services
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