Anna Pierides says too many banana farmers and workers are left vulnerable under current practices
Ahead of Fruit Logistica, which takes place in Berlin next week, Fairtrade’s senior sustainable sourcing manager Anna Pierides has released a statement highlighting the ongoing challenges that many banana growers continue to face.
“As the global fruit industry comes together at Fruit Logistica, we face an urgent challenge: ensuring that banana farmers and workers receive sustainable prices and fair wages in the face of rising costs and the increasing impacts of climate change,” she said.
”Bananas are a lifeline for millions of people worldwide, yet too many farmers and workers are left vulnerable under current practices.”
Fairtrade, she noted, changed the way trade worked through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers.
”Fairtrade’s Shared ImPact model for instance offers an exciting and innovative way forward. By bringing businesses, farmers and workers together, Shared ImPact tackles key issues such as low incomes, climate risks and the need for sustainable supply chains.
”This collaborative approach ensures long-term commitments, shared responsibility for risks, and better returns for producers through the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium,” Pierides continued.
The banana sector had a unique opportunity to lead the way, she explained.
By adopting Shared ImPact, buyers and retailers can support banana farmers to tackle the challenges of climate change, improve working conditions, and invest in their communities.
This model benefits farmers, enhances supply chain transparency, and builds trust with consumers who increasingly demand ethical and sustainable products.
”We urge all retailers and buyers in the banana industry to take action,” Pierides added.
”Together, we can show that a collaborative approach to sustainable sourcing is not only good for business but also vital for the planet and the people who grow the fruit we depend on.”
