Chiquita Announces Expanded Partnership for San San Pond Sak Biodiversity Project

CINCINNATI, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) today announced an expanded partnership for its San San Pond Sak biodiversity project located in the border region of Panama and Costa Rica.  The German government development corporation GTZ and the Costa Rican banana industry body CORBANA have joined with Chiquita, local authorities and German retailer REWE to support this existing and thriving sustainability project.

"Chiquita is committed to supporting important environmental sustainability projects wherever we operate," said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer.  "The addition of GTZ and CORBANA to our San San Pond Sak biodiversity project will further strengthen our sustainability efforts.  We are especially pleased to expand our alliance in 2010 as the United Nations has designated it the International Year of Biodiversity. Environmental sustainability is a wise investment in the future and is a duty we have as global citizens."

In 2008, Chiquita and REWE signed a partnership agreement to jointly protect endangered habitats and species in the protected wetlands of the San San Pond Sak reserve, situated close to Chiquita's banana farms in Panama and Costa Rica.  Subsequently, in June of 2009, Chiquita and REWE planted the first tree on a 130 hectare property donated by the two companies.  

Today, at a ceremony on the banks of the San San River, Chiquita, REWE, GTZ and CORBANA formalized their agreement to protect biodiversity and work with communities and local public agencies in the coastal regions of Bocas (Panama) and Sixaola (Costa Rica), on both sides of the Panama-Costa Rica border.  This public-private partnership is based on the conviction that the exceptional biodiversity of the region can only be preserved for future generations if communities, companies and farmers, civil society organizations and governmental institutions work together.

The expanded alliance is formalized in a 3-year public-private partnership committed to biodiversity, environmental education, community development, new income sources for inhabitants (including a special focus on women and indigenous communities), and becoming a model of international cooperation.  GTZ provides an important source of funding and expertise, whereas CORBANA represents one of Costa Rica's most important agricultural activities, and has farms and forest properties close to the Panamanian border in the Sixaola region.  In making this commitment, the partners are contributing to a conservation initiative supported by the governments of the region, the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Today, in a joint communique, the partners declared, "We, the signatories of this public private agreement, are delighted to have this opportunity to contribute with our skills and resources to an initiative which we hope will be of lasting benefit to the people and the environment of this beautiful region. We cordially invite all interested parties to join us in this endeavor. We consider it our privilege and duty to work closely with local communities, private and public institutions, governmental authorities, and all those who share our objectives."

Chiquita currently also sponsors a similar biodiversity project in Nogal, Costa Rica.  More information about the projects can be found at www.tropenprojekt-panama.de and www.nogalproject.ch.

About Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products – from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads.  The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks.  With annual revenues of $3.5 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 80 countries worldwide.  For more information, please visit www.chiquitabrands.com.

SOURCE Chiquita Brands International, Inc.