Univeg Katopé UK has announced the delivery of the first Fairtrade South African lychees to the Swiss Co-op retail chain in Europe.
The undertaking was reportedly made possible by close cooperation between Univeg companies in the UK, South Africa and Germany, as well as the group’s logistical network and infrastructure.
According to Univeg, sales will help support the Workers Joint Body Group of Springfield Farm in South Africa’s Limpopo province as it continues to develop its social improvement projects.
“The farm, located near the Zimbabwean border, has built a meeting room for the community, from which various community projects are conducted,” Univeg said in a press release. “One example: through the purchase of sewing machines, ladies of the community have started their own business, making and selling various items of clothing.”
In the future, Univeg said that it aims to expand sales of Fairtrade lychees from South Africa, which it plans to complement with Fairtrade Madagascan lychees, for which Univeg France is one of just two exporters approved by the Madagascan government to export to Europe.
