Fyffes operations in Honduras
Fyffes completed its purchase of Sol in 2013. This gave Fyffes ownership of Suragroh and Melon Export farms in the municipality of Choluteca, employing between 200 employees during the off-season and up to 6,500 seasonal workers during the season from the end of November to mid-May each year. Fyffes also has a watermelon business called Soleado, located near the municipality of Ojo de Agua, El Paraiso, which employs just under 60 permanent employees and 1,577 seasonal workers. Fyffes Honduran (and Guatemalan) melons and watermelons are imported into North America during winter.
Certifications of Fyffes melon farms Melon Export and Suragroh
Melon Export and Suragroh have received PrimusGFS field and packhouse certification for food safety, and C-TPAT for security risk assessment. Fyffes melon farms in Honduras are now GlobalG.A.P IFA certified (GGN 4063651579468, GGN 4063651579550, GGN 4063651579444). They have also undergone Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA) on health and safety, employment, social, and environmental standards, with regular internal and independent external audits. The most recent internal audit was conducted in February 2024, and the most recent annual independent APSCA-accredited audit took place the week in March and April 2024. Additionally, Suragroh and Melon Export comply with a variety of customer-mandated standards.
In November 2022 the Honduran Foundation for Socially Responsible Business (FUNDAHRSE) awarded Fyffes melon business Sol Group the coveted FUNDAHRSE Socially Responsible Company Seal for the years 2022-2023 after obtaining an average of 96% in seven thematic indicators for corporate social responsibility.
Likewise, and for the second consecutive year in November 2023, we again obtained the FUNDAHRSE seal for 2023-2024 with a rating of 96% under the same seven social responsibility indicators.
Improved conditions at melon farms
Fyffes appointed new management for its Honduran and Guatemalan melon farms in September 2021. The new leadership has transformed Fyffes business, improving working conditions, health and safety, investment in the local community, and providing employment opportunities during the off-season summer months.
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Source: fyffes