Chiquita says it has been awarded the Suitable Innovation Award as part of the 2025 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards for its Yelloway One disease-resistant banana prototype.
The recognition from the SEAL Awards, which honors programs and initiatives that move the needle on environmental progress, demonstrates leadership and commitment to a sustainable future and celebrates Chiquita’s pioneering efforts to combat global agricultural challenges through innovation and sustainability, according to a news release.
Chiquita says Yelloway One, the first hybrid banana prototype with resistance to both Fusarium wilt (Tropical Race 4) and black leaf streak disease (Black Sigatoka), represents a leap forward in agricultural innovation. These fungal diseases pose a significant threat to global banana production, costing the industry hundreds of millions annually.
“This recognition from SEAL Awards is a testament to Chiquita’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Peter Stedman, sustainability director for Chiquita. “Yelloway One reflects our vision for a resilient banana industry that can withstand environmental and disease pressures while supporting farmers and communities globally. We are honored to lead this transformative effort.”
Developed in collaboration with KeyGene, MusaRadix, and Wageningen University and Research, Yelloway One combines scientific research with breeding technologies with a goal of delivering a sustainable solution for banana growers worldwide. Chiquita says the initiative has already produced over 32,000 seeds and 150 successful crosses, laying the foundation for a sustainable banana industry. By leveraging advanced DNA sequencing, genetic analysis and natural breeding techniques, the initiative has achieved remarkable progress in creating commercially viable, sustainable banana varieties, the release said.
“Chiquita’s Yelloway One initiative exemplifies the inventive and impactful solutions that the SEAL Awards were created to celebrate,” said Matt Harney, founder and chairperson for SEAL Awards. “Every sector needs to contribute to climate action — we applaud Chiquita’s sustainability leadership and innovation within the agriculture sector.”
By fostering greater diversity in banana cultivation, Yelloway One and future varieties will offer improved resilience and economic opportunities for banana growers worldwide, Chiquita says. The innovation behind Yelloway One will also benefit public initiatives, as the intellectual property developed through this project will be made available for the creation of non-export varieties with enhanced disease resistance, the release said.
