Chiquita introduces Yelloway initiative
Chiquita has introduced the Yelloway initiative, with the goal of producing bananas that are resistant to both pathogenic diseases and environmental threats.
The initiative’s primary focus will be on Tropical Race 4 and Black Sigatoka, while also reducing carbon emissions, according to a news release.
The initiative is a strategic, long-term collaboration with KeyGene, MusaRadix and Wageningen University and Research, according to the release. It follows four pathways, beginning with genome mapping, followed by plant breeding, laboratory testing and finally, field testing, the release said.
Currently, the first batch of Yelloway-produced bananas are in the Philippines for field trials.
“Having been in the produce industry for over 150 years, Chiquita has witnessed the direct effects of climate change and its imminent environmental threats,” Peter Stedman, Chiquita’s director of sustainability, said in the release. “The Yelloway initiative allows us to make a difference for the greater good, especially when it comes to food security and nutrition globally. This process will provide a long-term, sustainable solution for the banana export industry, increase banana varieties and reduce carbon emissions — we are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done.”
Each year, Black Sigatoka, TR4 and other diseases cost the banana industry several hundred million dollars in crop protection, the release said. The current practice to prevent Black Sigatoka is through aerial spraying, which directly emits carbon emissions, according to the release. By creating resistant varieties through Yelloway, Chiquita says it will help safeguard banana production, resulting in less aerial planes in the air spraying protectant, directly decreasing carbon emissions.
Thus far, Yelloway has allowed Chiquita and its research partners to create a family tree of banana diversity based on over 160 different banana types, leading to 150 successful crosses, totaling 32,000 seeds, the release said.
With the first diploid F1 bananas growing in the greenhouse, new varieties of bananas are being developed, some with resistance to Fusarium and tolerance to Black Sigatoka, the release said.
The ultimate goal of the initiative is to produce three new resistant varieties that look, feel, taste and store like the cavendish banana consumers know and love, according to the release.
“As a leader in the industry, Chiquita stands resolute in our commitment to combat climate change,” Marco Volpi, chief marketing officer for Chiquita Brands, said in the release. “Yelloway is an incredible endeavor that allows us to defy both pathogenic diseases and environmental changes. With the inaugural batch of Yelloway bananas currently thriving in the Philippines, our hard work is paying off and shows a true testament to our unwavering dedication to a greener future.”
This approach is an additional measure made by Chiquita to combat climate change, the company said.
Recently, Chiquita introduced the 30BY30 initiative, a program aimed at reducing carbon emissions across the entire brand’s operations by a total 30% by the end of 2030, the company said.
The 30BY30 sustainability program and aggressive climate target goals were approved by the Science Based Target Initiative in 2021, making Chiquita the first global fruit company to be recognized by SBTi, the release said. It also ladders back up to Chiquita’s Behind the Blue Sticker approach to sustainability, which aims to create a positive environmental impact by implementing the principles of sustainability in all of its business practices, according to the release.
