Fyffes Expands Human Rights Risk Focus In Fourth Due Diligence Report

Fyffes has published its 2024 Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Report, marking the fourth consecutive year the company has reported on its approach to responsible business practices across its global operations and supply chain.

Image courtesy of Fyffes

Released to coincide with World Human Rights Day on 12 December, the report outlines progress made during 2024, alongside the challenges and priorities facing the business as it continues to embed human rights and environmental due diligence into day-to-day decision-making.

According to Fyffes, the report has been developed in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and anticipates requirements under the forthcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The company said it had strengthened governance systems, increased transparency and expanded engagement with workers, suppliers and communities throughout its value chain.

One of the key updates in the 2024 report is the addition of two new salient human rights risks following refreshed risk assessments and stakeholder engagement. These are the right to adequate and decent housing, particularly workplace accommodation, and communities’ right to information and participation. Fyffes said the additions reflect an evolving understanding of the rights and vulnerabilities requiring proactive management across its operations and supply chain.

The report also details the continued evolution of Fyffes’ due diligence practices. During 2024, the company’s Responsible Supply Chain team moved beyond a primary focus on certifications and standards auditing towards a more risk-based human rights due diligence model. This included in-field investigations and greater collaboration across internal departments to integrate due diligence into companywide systems.

Alongside this, Fyffes’ Sustainability team expanded partnerships with suppliers to gather environmental, social and governance data and continued community engagement initiatives around its own farms. This included further development of the “puertas abiertas” or open doors programme.

Governance and accountability structures were also strengthened during the year. Fyffes confirmed it updated its grievance procedures, appointed a Global Ethics and Compliance Manager and established clear terms of reference for its Ethics Committee.

The report highlights progress made under Fyffes’ Prevention and Mitigation Plan, the launch of a Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Self-Assessment Tool for farms and suppliers, and the introduction of targeted actions to support worker mental health and wellbeing.

Looking ahead, Fyffes said it will continue to scale its prevention and mitigation activities, expand supplier self-assessments and prepare for alignment with new EU due diligence regulation, while maintaining its focus on decent work, resilient communities and environmental protection.

Fyffes’ 2024 Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Report is available on the company’s website.