Fresh produce multinational Del Monte has revealed that it iscontinuing the expansion of its greenhouse product line by beginningthe construction of 17 greenhouses in Buenos Aires, Costa Rica.

The new project,which cover25 acres and includesa packhouseand other supporting facilities, is set to be completed inDecember withthe first harvest projected for February next year.

According to Del Monte, the hydroponicgreenhouse facilities in Costa Rica will be similar to the recently-completedfacilities in Guatemala, boasting state-of-the-art facilities with sophisticated food safety and quality assurance systems, andintegrated pest management.

As part of Del Monte's ongoing sustainability efforts, there will be other systems and methods that will be implemented to minimise its environmental footprint and help protect and preserve the surrounding community and natural resources, such asan automatic irrigation system.

Meanwhile, theCosta Rican project will create 120 permanent jobs in the Buenos Aires area, where Del Monte has already employed many from the community for its other fruit operations.

'We are eagerly anticipating the completion of the facilities in Costa Rica,' said Dennis Christou, vice-president of marketing at FreshDel Monte. 'Consumers continue to demand a wide varietyand year-round supply of high-quality tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. This expansion will enable us to provide our North American customers with a full line of consistently premium quality greenhouse products.

'Del Monte's investment in greenhouse grown products signifies our continued commitment to implementing sustainable agricultural practices at our operations, worldwide,' he added. 'It also exemplifies Del Monte's commitment to innovation and to the continued exploration of the best ways to deliver consistently premium quality produce.'

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