Building responsible global value chains for the sustainable production and trade of tropical fruits| Markets and Trade | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Concerned about business risk in avocado or pineapple supply chains?

The global production and trade of tropical fruits has grown dramatically while markets are demanding more action on environmental and social issues. The COVID-19 pandemic and other shocks have shown that business risks must be addressed to ensure continued success.

Companies are already taking steps to address sustainability risk in their operations.

However, value chains are vulnerable to risks and shocks beyond the control of any single actor. Thus, concerted actions can benefit all industry stakeholders and is why FAO is leading the project Building responsible global value chains for the sustainable production and trade of tropical fruits, also known as the “Responsible Fruits Project”.

What does the project do?

The project builds on more than a decade of FAO’s experience of working with the private sector on tropical fruits. The project facilitates the World Banana Forum where industry players discuss challenges, seek technical support, and share good practices and innovations for sustainability in the banana sector. The project also builds on work with over 30 leading enterprises and industry associations to apply the risk-based due diligence recommendations in the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.

	helps companies to strengthen or establish risk-based due diligence systems to make their operations more sustainable and resilient to external shocks, such as COVID-19;
	provides a confidential environment for peer learning on pre-competitive issues;
	identifies measures and good practices to overcome challenges;
	develops a series of demand-driven guides and briefs to address technical challenges identified by project participants, including measures and good practices; and
	analyses the policy environment and incentives in order to identify opportunities to accelerate sustainable investment in supply chains.

What are the benefits of joining?

The project has reached more than 200 organizations. All interested companies, trade associations, and producer organizations involved in the avocado and pineapple value chains may ask to join the project.

Participants will:

	provide guidance on where the project should focus its resources by identifying priorities and good practices to reduce risk and enhance sustainability;
	identify priority topics for peer-learning webinars, capacity development events and technical guides;
	learn how others address challenges in precompetitive issues;
	have early access to technical guides created by the project.

There is no cost  to participate. Confidentiality will be strictly protected.

Latest publications

Webinar #5: Reduction of agrochemical use, sustainable pest and disease management and compliance with MRLs - 2 February 2022

24/03/2022

This was the fifth in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests...

Making avocado and pineapple supply chains more sustainable and resilient

15/07/2021

Concerned about business risk in avocado or pineapple supply chains? FAO can help. Global production and trade of tropical fruits have grown dramatically....

Booklet

Integrating responsible business conduct in avocado production and export – An introductory guide for trainers

15/10/2024

The FAO technical guide, “Responsible business conduct in the avocado industry: a guide for producers and exporters”, was developed to support export-oriented...

Webinar #3: How the tropical fruits sector can tackle deforestation and contribute to forest positive value chains -21 October 2021

04/03/2022

This was the third in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests...

Booklet

Integrating responsible business conduct in pineapple production and export – An introductory guide for trainers

15/10/2024

The FAO technical guide, “Responsible business conduct in the pineapple industry: a guide for producers and exporters”, was developed to support export-oriented...

Project publications

Sustainable Tropical Fruits Series

Gap analysis tool to strengthen the management of sustainability risks in tropical fruit value chains

27/10/2022

This technical brief describes a gap analysis tool that enables companies in the avocado and pineapple sectors to compare their policies and the voluntary standards they use with key due diligence recommendations of the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.

Resilience gaps and opportunities for the pineapple industry

04/07/2023

Strengthening the resilience of avocado value chains is increasingly important as the sector faces multifaceted risks, including climate change, pests and diseases, and economic downturns, among others. By building resilience, avocado companies and associations can ensure the continuity of their operations and businesses.