Ecuador’s banana producer, Reybanpac, has published its biennial sustainability report for 2022-23.
This is the first report under the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative standard, according to a release. The publication details the environmental and social practices the company has implemented during this period under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Reybanpac CEO Vicente Wong said 2022 and 2023 were marked by resilience and effort due to the impact of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the increase in input and logistics costs, and the insecurity situation in Ecuador.
“Despite the trials, we made progress in our sustainable development objectives, in the responsible management of natural resources such as water, the protection of biodiversity and the promotion of gender equality by strengthening the role of women in agribusiness,” Wong said in the release.
In terms of environmental responsibility, the company said it measured and reported the greenhouse gas emissions of its 43 farms, obtaining a result of 0.146 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of bananas in 2023, the release said. The company said it has also made progress in its water-use optimization projects. In 2023 its irrigation consumption indicator was 0.02 m3/kg of bananas, while the industry average is 0.5 cubic meters per kilogram of bananas, according to the release.
In 2023, Reybanpac established a biofactory at its facilities for the use of microorganisms, which has contributed to improving soil health and reducing the use of pesticides, the release said. In addition, the company said it has been supporting rural communities for 30 years through the Wong Foundation, offering access to quality education and programs to develop technical skills.
“We are convinced that education and employment are the main generators of development and wealth”, Wong said. The foundation has four child development centers and three educational units that benefit close to 900 children and young people annually.
Also, through the Productive Technical Baccalaureate with a specialization in agricultural entrepreneurship, opportunities for social transformation and economic growth were generated for people aged 18-29, thanks to specialized training in banana production, the release said, adding that 31% of the participants were women.
Reybanpac’s sustainability report is available through its website.
Your next read: Helios CEO talks climate change and AI in agriculture
