In a move expected to strengthen environmental accountability and ethical business practices across Kenya’s agribusiness sector, Del Monte Kenya Limited has officially joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
The Thika-based food processing and pineapple export giant becomes one of the growing numbers of African firms committing to align operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
The UN Global Compact has over 20,000 business participants globally, and Del Monte Kenya’s inclusion is seen as a significant step for the region’s agricultural exports sector, which has long faced scrutiny over land use, environmental impacts, and labor practices.
“Joining the United Nations Global Compact reflects our deepening commitment to conduct business responsibly and drive measurable impact across our operations,” said Stergios Gkaliamoutsas, Managing Director of Del Monte Kenya.
He noted that the company is focusing on delivering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, while enhancing transparency and accountability to stakeholders, including workers, local communities, and export markets.
The UNGC framework encourages companies to publicly report progress in integrating sustainability into corporate strategy, a move that will now apply to Del Monte Kenya in its annual reporting. The company will also participate in knowledge-sharing, innovation labs, and capacity-building networks organized under the Compact.
The timing of this move is particularly notable as Kenyan agribusinesses grapple with the dual challenges of climate change and global consumer demand for ethical sourcing.
Agriculture remains a critical pillar of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 22% of GDP and employing more than half of the rural workforce. However, major agricultural exporters have faced pressure—both locally and internationally—to improve labour standards and reduce environmental degradation.
In recent years, Del Monte Kenya has been at the centre of land rights and worker welfare debates, including disputes over land use with surrounding communities in Murang’a and Kiambu counties.
In 2023, the company began a structured community dialogue process, culminating in a land lease agreement with local county governments. It is also committed to increasing investments in local infrastructure, education, and health services. The UNGC membership is expected to increase oversight and reinforce those efforts under a more transparent and internationally recognized system of corporate accountability.
As global consumers and regulators push for higher standards in food production, sustainability is increasingly seen as a source of competitive advantage. The European Union’s upcoming deforestation-free regulations, for instance, are set to impact agricultural exports from Africa starting in 2025.
By aligning with the UNGC’s Ten Principles, Del Monte Kenya strengthens its access to global markets—particularly in Europe and North America, where buyers are demanding full traceability and social compliance across supply chains. Sustainability is no longer a public relations issue; it is a trade and competitiveness issue; recent major developments clearly show that If Kenyan companies don’t adapt, they risk being locked out of key markets.
The pineapple giant has already begun transitioning parts of its plantation operations toward regenerative agriculture, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and improving soil health. It has also pledged to cut water consumption and move toward carbon neutrality by 2030.
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Del Monte Kenya’s membership in the UNGC may spur other major agricultural firms in Kenya to follow suit. The tea and flower export industries, in particular, have faced ongoing criticisms around low wages, chemical use, and precarious working conditions. Industry insiders suggest that the visibility of Del Monte’s move could generate competitive pressure among peers, especially in light of the growing influence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scoring in trade finance and procurement.
Kenya’s own development agenda under Vision 2030 and recent updates to the Climate Change Act stress private sector leadership in sustainability. National regulators have also begun issuing ESG reporting guidance for listed companies and large private firms.
In addition to its environmental efforts, Del Monte Kenya has announced expanded investment in community initiatives, including rural road upgrades, health centre construction, and youth empowerment programs. The company currently employs over 6,500 people, making it one of the largest private employers in central Kenya. Its economic footprint is significant in Thika, Kiambu county (Kenya) and surrounding counties, where it operates thousands of acres of pineapple plantations.
The UN Global Compact encourages its members to integrate sustainability across strategy, operations, and culture – not merely through compliance but through leadership. For Del Monte Kenya, that will likely mean a deeper transformation of its business model, from monoculture plantations to more inclusive, climate-smart agriculture. The success of this journey will be measured not just in global certifications, but in tangible improvements for its workers, communities, and ecosystems.
As Kenya’s agribusiness sector looks to the future, the question is no longer whether sustainability matters but how companies will deliver it in real terms.
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