Signed in 2017, the objective of the partnership between La Compagnie Fruitière and the WWF France is the implementation of concrete initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture, the key challenge of which is to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers and plant protection products in the banana plantations. The WWF France has supported La Compagnie Fruitière in the preparation of the "road map" it is presenting.
The group is committing itself to expanding organic farming to 20% of its surface area by 2025 and is to experiment with innovative and sustainable production methods, developing new ecological agricultural practices on its conventional plots.
20% of the banana plantations farmed organically by 2025
With a consumption level of 8 kilos per inhabitant each year 1 i.e. 14% of purchased fruit volumes 2, bananas are the second most-consumed fruit in France. France is the fifth largest importer at a European level with almost 840,000 tonnes of bananas imported annually. It is therefore vital to encourage more responsible consumption of this fruit, including by promoting environmentally friendly production methods through organic and ecological farming.
La Compagnie Fruitière is today committing itself to increasing the percentage of its surface areas farmed organically from 5 to 20% by 2025 in Africa around its historical plantations and through the acquisition of new organic plantations, potentially in Latin America.
By 2025 in Ghana, 50% of the banana plantations will operate without using synthetic plant protection products and 50% will be farmed organically.
In keeping with the French government's Ecophyto 2 Plan, which seeks to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50% by 2025, La Compagnie Fruitière is implementing a project in Ghana known as "4x sans". The objective is to gradually eliminate fungicides, nematicides, herbicides and insecticides. This project will encompass a total surface area of 1,000 hectares, i.e. an annual production of 50,000 tonnes of fruit. This conversion plan will eventually make it possible to certify 50% of the banana plantations as organic farms and 50% as free of synthetic plant protection products.
Partnerships with research institutes for more sustainable farming
In partnership with leading research institutes such as the CIRAD, the CNRS and the IRSTEA, etc., La Compagnie Fruitière is currently working on innovative best practices in Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana both in organic and conventional agriculture, such as for example replacing the insecticides used to combat weevils by traps using hormones naturally emitted by the insects, the incorporation of rearing within its production systems to produce compost and reduce the use of synthetic products in addition to a six-month test in Ghana involving the deployment of service plants to make the most of the resulting benefits for the ecosystems.
About La Compagnie Fruitière:
Founded in 1938 in Marseille, La Compagnie Fruitière is the leading fruit producer in the A.C.P. area (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) with almost 500,000 tonnes of fruit produced in its African plantations.
Its highly integrated model is based on its extensive experience with several activities in the food sector, enabling it to control all stages involved: agricultural production, port and maritime logistics, ripening and distribution. As the second-largest European operator in the banana sector, the group currently markets more than 800,000 tonnes of fruit throughout the whole of Europe, the Maghreb area and the rest of Africa.
Aware of its responsibilities and the impacts of its various activities, particularly in production, with its 21,000 employees and 12,000 hectares of plantations, for several years now the company has deployed a determined and ambitious social and environmental responsibility policy. For social, societal or environmental questions, it is supported by research institutes and local or international NGOs such as the WWF France to improve the sustainability of its practices.
About the WWF France:
The WWF is one of the world's leading independent environmental protection organisations. With an active network in more than 100 countries and supported by 6 million members, the WWF works to stop the deterioration of our planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by protecting global biological diversity, by ensuring the sustainable use of renewable natural resources and by promoting reductions in pollution and waste.
Since 1973, the WWF France has worked on a daily basis to offer future generations a living planet. With its volunteers and the support of its 220,000 donors, the WWF France carries out concrete activities to protect natural environments and their species, to promote sustainable lifestyles, to train decision makers, to support companies in reducing their ecological footprint and to educate young people. However, for change to be accepted, it can only be achieved by respecting everyone. For this reason, the WWF’s philosophy is based on dialogue and action.
