Ireland-based Total Produce has said that for the first time the company's participation at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this year will be carbon-neutral.

The initiative will see Vita - an Irish development partner -  independently calculate and total the estimated carbon emissions associated with the construction and operation of the Total Produce stand, long haul and short haul travel to the event and accommodation for all of the company's attendees.

"Total Produce has committed to invest in Carbon Credits to the value of the total tonnage of CO2 emissions estimated by Vita, the revenue from which will fund Vita projects," the company said.

It added that by removing the need for many additional trips to growers, customers and sister companies throughout the year, Fruit Logistica is already an instrument for reducing international travel.

Vincent Dolan, the group's marketing director said: "In working with Vita, we in Total Produce are striving to reduce still further the impact of carbon emissions associated with unavoidable travel across a global group while simultaneously contributing to worthwhile carbon reduction and water preservation projects in Africa."