As we live in an ever-growing digital age, where buying our necessities can simply happen at the click of a button, do we ever stop to think about what goes on behind the screen; the intricate and indispensable process ensures availability of fruits and other healthy fresh products on the tables of global communities?

Agriculture has always played a key role in human history, being a fundamental tool for food security across the world by contributing to poverty alleviation, innovation, and economic development through the years. Today, more than ever, while we face important dilemmas connected to climate change challenges and become increasingly aware of responsibilities of the human species on nature, agriculture steps in for its vital role in reducing environmental impacts and protecting our planet and people’s health in the long run. 

Unifrutti is a leading integrated fresh fruit producer and trader, whose operations span across the globe. Unifrutti Group connects over fifty countries to build bridges through fresh fruit and form collaborations with people and their communities. In search for the best environment and techniques to grow healthy and nutritious food for over 70 years, Unifrutti works daily to produce quality and deliver freshness, worldwide and every day and focuses on sustainably innovating value for people, consumers and the environment.

Responsible agriculture and the development of sustainability has always been at the heart of the Unifrutti business. Bringing people together from all over to inspire innovations and committing to play a role for a better tomorrow are made apparent, along with the aspiration to make healthy living possible for all, by creating a global fresh fruit network.

Focusing on Univiveros, the Unifrutti Group’s nursery in Chile and one of the most important players from South America for the varietal innovation sector, their objective from the beginning was to distribute plants for the first planting of Unifrutti.  Univiveros today provides millions of plants to third party growers and constantly aims for better fruit varieties, resulting in a number of new opportunities for businesses contributing to the industry development.

Unifrutti aspires to provide a unique and inspired approach to the welfare of their people. As an example, by having in South Africa their own healthcare clinic and primary care nurse on site permanently, this means they can treat people from the farm and pack house, free of charge. Putting workers’ health at the forefront of a business, creates not only a sustainable environment for a business to thrive in, but solidifies that healthy family vision.

With many workers wanting to live life happily and safely in their native country, by expanding operation respectfully and reclaiming entire production areas, Unifrutti has been able to create working opportunities where it was not possible before. As well as the other benefits, starting from higher, more secure compensation for employees, to sharing technical knowledge and general culture across local communities, Unifrutti has positively impacted the lives of its workers.

As with all businesses, things do not always run smoothly. In the Philippines, the Panama Disease Infestation nearly brought a midland banana farm to the brink of abandonment. However, thanks to innovative ways in which to overcome the problem, Unifrutti and the community managed to recover and now have new measures and tools in place to lessen the risk of it happening in the future and the knowledge needed to support neighbouring growers and the other producers in the area.

Innovation and R&D play a vitally important role throughout the entire process, especially in today’s world where the risks of sustainability, climate change, labour costs and ever-changing markets can be so unstable. The restrictions on pesticides also open up a number of opportunities, whereby the obligations for the company are to find the best variety for the growers to reach their goal. As a result, this philosophy has generated long term relationships, which in turn gives the company value in the production and commercialisation chain.

The ending message touches upon climate change as the biggest challenge to society. The industry and Unifrutti being able to find the right approach and proper tools for growers and their hectares, in order to continue adapting practices in these changing times is vitally important.

The future of sustainable food production is an exciting and vitally important one and with Unifrutti at the forefront, we can look forward to a brighter, healthier tomorrow.