Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and Vellsam Materias Bioactivas, a leader in biotechnological solutions, announced a new partnership focused on developing biofertilizers from pineapple residues. This collaboration, operating under the name De l’Ora Bio, has been established with the inauguration of a new biofertilizer plant in Kenya.
Located near Fresh Del Monte’s Kenyan subsidiary, Del Monte Kenya Ltd., the plant will utilize pineapple cannery waste to create various biofertilizers. These biofertilizers will be used both by Fresh Del Monte and potentially sold to other growers in Kenya and East Africa.
Biofertilizers are a natural alternative to traditional fertilizers, utilizing microbes to enhance plant growth by increasing nutrient availability, improving soil health, and ultimately boosting yields.
“Fresh Del Monte is committed to a circular economy and actively seeks solutions to repurpose and reuse its residues,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe this collaboration represents a significant step forward, potentially revolutionizing agricultural practices. De l’Ora Bio embodies our dedication to innovation, environmental stewardship, and pushing boundaries in the agricultural sector.”
The global biofertilizer market is projected to reach USD 9.14 billion by 2032 according to Precedence Research. This growth is attributed to rising awareness of sustainable agricultural practices, increased demand for organic food products, and government initiatives promoting biofertilizer use.
Through De l’Ora Bio, Fresh Del Monte and Vellsam aim to maximize the utilization of pineapple residues, enhance soil fertility, and meet growing consumer demand for nutritious and sustainably grown produce.