Honduras has become the most productive country out of 70 for U.S. banana company Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB), with farms collectively producing 13 million boxes of the fruit on average per year, website Laprensa.hn reported.

During an event held in La Lima last week, Chiquita Honduras director Fuad Giacomán said job security was a key factor that made Chiquita a great company to work for.

"We have almost no employee turnover. Up until now we have had retiring workers with over 20 years' of service, which shows that people really want to stay with us," Giacomán was quoted as saying.

Giacomán added the company would continue to provide jobs and be a source of foreign income to the country, the story reported.

"With over 20 years of being established in the country, Chiquita generates an income of more than US$90 million a year in foreign exchange and creates 3,000 direct jobs, along with many other jobs for third-party employees like contractors and vendors," he said.

La Prensa reported farms in Honduras were where many innovations in fruit cultivation were made and then implemented in other countries. As such, company executives are investing in revitalizing the land to continue to offer high quality products.

The publication also claimed Chiquita directors were seeking further investment due to the country's excellent work, and were currently holding negotiations to rent independent producers' properties to expand the company's production.

In the next seven years, the farms in Latin America will be completely renovated to increase exports to the U.S., which currently receives almost 95% of the total.

The renovations will require an investment of around US$60 million to change land machinery and implement new methods of cultivation and fruit packing.

Along with investing resources to increase production, Chiquita has been financially supporting public health services to such an extent that company CEO Ed Lonergan received the keys to the municipality of La Lima.

The story reported Lonergan said the fact there was a positive relationship with the authorities where his company operated, along with other factors, was important in considering where to invest.

"We see talent in the workforce, good soil, productivity and good relations with the municipalities where we settle, and when these are combined we have the option to invest; Honduras offers everything we are looking for," he was quoted as saying.

In Honduras there are 18,000 hectares of banana plantations, the story reported. Of these, around 3,000 are owned by independent producers while the rest belong to the two multinationals Dole and Chiquita.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com