Fyffes today announced the publication of its 2024 Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Report, coinciding with World Human Rights Day, a global moment to reaffirm the importance of protecting and promoting fundamental rights across societies and value chains. This marks the company’s fourth consecutive year of reporting its progress, challenges, and commitments in embedding responsible business practices throughout its global operations and supply chain.
“I am pleased to present Fyffes’ 2024 Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Report, which builds on the foundation we established in previous years and demonstrates our continued leadership in responsible business practices,” said Caoimhe Buckley, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
“In 2024, we continued to embed human rights and environmental due diligence as a core part of how we do business. Guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the forthcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), we strengthened our governance systems, improved transparency, and deepened engagement with workers, suppliers, and communities across our global value chain.”
Key Updates in the 2024 Report
This year’s report introduces three significant developments in Fyffes’ human rights due diligence approach:
1. Introduction of Two New Salient Human Rights Risks
Based on refreshed risk assessments and extensive engagement with stakeholders, Fyffes has added two new salient human rights issues to its existing list of prioritised risks:
- Right to adequate and decent housing accommodation (workplace accommodation)
- Communities’ Right to Information and Participation
These additions reflect an expanding understanding of the rights and vulnerabilities that require proactive management across Fyffes’ operations and supply chain.
2. Continued Evolution of Due Diligence Practices Across the Value Chain
Fyffes’ Responsible Supply Chain team advanced from a primary focus on certifications and standards auditing to a proactive, risk-based human rights due diligence model, including in-field investigations and collaboration across departments to embed due diligence into companywide systems.
Meanwhile, Fyffes’ Sustainability team deepened partnerships with suppliers to gather environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data and expanded community engagement initiatives surrounding Fyffes own farms such as the “puertas abiertas” (open doors) programme.
3. Strengthened Ethics and Governance Structures
In 2024 Fyffes continued to reinforce its governance and accountability frameworks by:
- Updating its Grievance Procedures
- Appointing a Global Ethics and Compliance Manager
- Establishing clear Terms of Reference for the Fyffes Ethics Committee
“Over the past year, we have taken important steps to strengthen our governance and risk management so that human rights and environmental due diligence are not standalone initiatives, but part of how Fyffes makes decisions every day,” said Marina Souza, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Fyffes.
“By reinforcing our grievance processes, formalising our Ethics Committee, and enhancing risk management, we are building a framework that identifies and addresses risks earlier and more effectively.”
Driving Positive Impact Through People, Partnerships, and Continuous Improvement
Across its farms and supply chains, Fyffes advanced its Prevention and Mitigation Plan, launched a Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Self-Assessment Tool for farms and suppliers, and introduced dedicated actions to promote worker mental health and wellbeing.
“As we look ahead, Fyffes will continue to scale its prevention and mitigation activities, expand supplier self-assessments, and prepare for alignment with new EU due diligence regulation,” added Caoimhe Buckley. “We will continue to invest in people and partnerships that promote decent work, resilient communities, and a healthy environment — staying ahead of regulatory expectations and delivering on our vision of Shaping Wellbeing for the World.”
