“These early-stage plants are classically bred through pollination and tested in controlled greenhouse environments, where researchers can rigorously assess disease resistance, performance and adaptability before moving to field trials,” said Peter Stedman, sustainability director for Chiquita. “This approach allows Chiquita to explore sustainable solutions in a highly precise and biosecure setting, accelerating innovation while minimizing risk.”

Yelloway One’s next-generation plants are projected to significantly reduce the need for carbon-intensive fungicides. This breakthrough could help Chiquita eliminate up to 7,000 tons of Scope 1 CO₂ emissions annually — equivalent to approximately 10 percent of the company’s direct agricultural emissions.

“As the industry faces mounting environmental and disease-related challenges, Chiquita’s greenhouse efforts represent a vital step toward building a more resilient and climate-smart banana supply chain,” Stedman said.

The Yelloway innovation partnership has reached an important stage, with progress continuing toward broader evaluation and deployment.

“Yelloway One is the first step in creating banana varieties that will preserve the beloved traits of the Cavendish banana while enhancing resilience, reducing carbon-intensive fungicide use and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of growers,” Stedman said. “The next phase will be key in determining its real-world viability and long-term role in addressing TR4 and Black Sigatoka, as well as its potential to contribute to more sustainable banana production.”

The company understands that Greenhouse success depends on maintaining optimal conditions for plant development, from humidity and light to soil health.

“Whilst we cannot control the daylight hours, the winter in The Netherlands is definitely not what the banana is used to, we have been able to optimize many other characteristics that lead to good growth,” Stedman said. “We know well what a good cavendish looks like. We have healthy and happy cavendish in the greenhouse so we know we have the conditions spot on.”

The company’s biggest long-term challenge continues to be the lack of biodiversity in bananas.

“We have all our eggs in one basket,” Stedman said. “Whilst TR4 is a very significant threat it isn’t the only one. Fungicide resistance by pests, evolving pest profiles driven by changing rainfall and humidity, shifting climatic patterns, are made that much more significant by not having the planting material best suited to deal with the issue.”

Chiquita’s biggest opportunities for growth lie in strengthening consumer engagement by tapping into the power of storytelling, sustainability and innovation.

“As consumers become more mindful of where their food comes from and how it’s produced, there is a growing appetite for brands that can demonstrate authenticity, transparency and purpose,” Stedman said. “By highlighting the real stories behind our farms, workers and commitment to sustainable practices, Chiquita can create deeper emotional connections with our audience.”

Chiquita is focused on building a resilient and responsible future through a commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking innovation.

“Our long-term strategy centers on protecting the environment while supporting the communities that grow our bananas,” Stedman said. “This includes continued investment in biodiversity conservation, emissions reduction, and climate-smart agricultural practices that help future-proof our supply chain.”

The company is also reinforcing its sustainability efforts in meaningful ways. For instance, in May, Chiquita celebrated the International Day of Biodiversity by spotlighting the Nogal Reserve in Costa Rica — a 257-acre protected area supporting over 1,000 species.

“It’s a powerful example of how agriculture and conservation can thrive together,” Stedman said. “In parallel, we’re transitioning from plastic to cardboard cornerboards in key global markets — an important step in reducing packaging waste while maintaining supply chain efficiency.”