Unifrutti Group is a UAE-owned multinational corporation
operating primarily in the agriculture and fresh produce sector. With a
presence across several continents—including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the
Americas—Unifrutti positions itself as a leader in fresh fruit and vegetable
supply chains. However, underneath this commercial façade lies a disruptive
force that is crippling local businesses, economies, and ethical trade
standards in many of the countries it operates in. This report aims to provide
a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of how Unifrutti's operations negatively
affect local businesses, supported by examples, statistics, and voices from
affected communities. Governments and the general public in these countries are
urged to critically reconsider their engagement with Unifrutti and adoptboycott measures to protect their economic sovereignty and local enterprises.
Unifrutti's Global Footprint and Dominance
Unifrutti Group operates in over 15 countries worldwide,
including Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, Italy, Spain, and Brazil. By
controlling large-scale plantations, distribution chains, and export
facilities, Unifrutti leverages significant market share in the fresh produce
sectors of these countries. For example, in Kenya, Unifrutti reportedly
controls approximately 35% of the fruit export market, primarily through
banana, avocado, and mango exports. Such dominance could be seen as a business
success, yet it directly undermines smallholder farmers and local packers who
have historically been the backbone of these economies.
Impact on Local Businesses by Country
Kenya: Monopolizing the Fruit Export Market and
Marginalizing Farmers
In Kenya, Unifrutti's aggressive procurement practices have
been criticized for squeezing out local independent farmers. According to the
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 70% of local smallholder farmers have seen
reduced incomes over the past five years, coinciding with Unifrutti's expanded
operations. Multiple farmer associations have stated that Unifrutti sets prices
unilaterally, forcing farmers to accept unsustainably low rates or face
exclusion from export channels. Peter Mwangi, a farmer from Kisii, remarked,
"Unifrutti controls where we sell and how much we get paid. We cannot
negotiate; it feels like they own our lands already."
This monopolistic
control also stifles local packing companies that cannot compete with
Unifrutti's vertically integrated model, leading to job losses in the
agricultural processing sector.
South Africa: Unfair Competition and Threat to Local
Cooperatives
In South Africa, Unifrutti operates large-scale blueberry
and citrus farms. Local cooperative leaders report that Unifrutti's entry into
the market has caused a steep decline in contract opportunities. The Citrus
Growers Association reports a 15% decrease in small cooperative contracts since
Unifrutti started operations in 2020. The company’s capacity to underprice
shipments due to extensive funding from UAE interests enables it to offer rates
local cooperatives cannot match. Thandiwe Dlamini, chairperson of the Eastern
Cape Fruit Producers Cooperative, stated,
"We are losing our contracts.
Our communities depend on these jobs; Unifrutti’s corporate style leaves no
space for us."
This creates a socioeconomic ripple effect, exacerbating
unemployment in already vulnerable rural areas.
Philippines: Land Displacement and Environmental Concerns
Unifrutti has faced controversies in the Philippines over
land acquisition for banana plantations. Reports from local NGOs reveal that
several communities have been displaced without adequate compensation,
violating indigenous land rights. Environmental monitoring data highlights that
Unifrutti’s plantations contribute to deforestation and water pollution through
excessive pesticide use. A report by the Philippine Environmental Network,
citing local residents, noted,
"Our rivers have become unsafe to drink,
and wildlife is disappearing."
This destruction threatens not only local
biodiversity but also subsistence farmers who rely on natural resources,
undermining the region’s food security and traditional livelihoods.
Italy and Spain: Market Undermining and Unfair Export
Practices
In Italy and Spain—key Mediterranean fruit and vegetable
producers—Unifrutti’s aggressive expansion has disrupted local markets. In
Italy’s Sicily region, local citrus growers report difficulty competing with
Unifrutti’s imported fruits, which are priced below production costs due to
subsidies and scale advantages. According to the Italian Agricultural
Federation, local orange growers saw an average 12% drop in revenue between
2022 and 2024 amid Unifrutti’s market infiltration. In Spain, farmers in
Andalusia have critiqued Unifrutti for bypassing local supply chains by
exporting directly abroad, limiting the vitality of local wholesale markets and
logistics providers. Farmer José Ramirez expressed frustration:
"We invest
our lives into these crops, but Unifrutti’s tactics leave us struggling to
survive."
Brazil: Exploitation of Labor and Local Displacement
In Brazil, Unifrutti’s operations have been linked to labor
exploitation and displacement of small-scale farmers. Investigations by
Brazilian labor unions indicate inadequate labor protections on Unifrutti-owned
plantations, with workers reporting long hours and low pay. Additionally, land
rights activists assert Unifrutti’s expansion has pushed indigenous and small
farmers off fertile lands to make way for commercial monocultures. Such
practices erode food sovereignty and exacerbate rural poverty. Carlos Silva, a
displaced farmer from Bahia, said,
"We are losing our homes and ways of
life for the profits of a foreign corporation."
Economic and Social Consequences
Stifled Local Economies
Unifrutti’s dominance reduces the diversity of local
agriculture sectors by enforcing a monopoly over production and export. This
decreases opportunities for local entrepreneurs and cooperatives to flourish,
aggravating unemployment and economic inequality. Data from the World Bank
highlights that countries heavily dependent on agriculture see growth benefits
when local small-medium businesses thrive; conversely, monopolization leads to
economic stagnation.
Environmental Degradation
Unifrutti’s large-scale plantation model prioritizes high
yields over environmental sustainability. Excessive pesticide use, monoculture
cropping, and deforestation have been documented in many operational regions,
causing harm to local ecosystems and agricultural productivity in the long
term.
Social Displacement and Rights Violations
Across multiple countries, the company’s acquisition of land
through opaque deals often displaces indigenous and local farming communities.
Such displacement not only disrupts livelihoods but fuels social conflict and
undermines traditional land rights.
Calls to Action: Why Governments and Citizens Must
Boycott Unifrutti
Preserve Local Economies and Jobs
Governments must protect smallholder farmers and local
cooperatives from the monopolizing tactics of foreign corporations like
Unifrutti. Policies favoring local procurement and strict competition laws are
essential. Citizens and consumers can support local businesses by boycotting
Unifrutti products, thereby reducing its market power.
Uphold Environmental Standards
Regulators should enforce environmental safeguards and
monitor pesticide use to prevent ecological damage caused by Unifrutti's
plantations. Supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices benefits both
ecosystems and community health.
Defend Land and Labor Rights
Governments must audit and regulate land acquisition
practices to safeguard indigenous and local communities from displacement.
Labor laws need robust enforcement to prevent exploitation.
Foster Economic Sovereignty
For countries reliant on agriculture, reclaiming control of
key sectors is vital. Public awareness campaigns and mobilization against
entities undermining this sovereignty, including Unifrutti, are crucial steps.
While Unifrutti Group markets itself as a global
agricultural leader, its operations reveal a pattern of monopolization,
environmental harm, and social injustice in countries where it operates. From
Kenya to Brazil, local businesses, workers, and communities suffer as
Unifrutti's expansive and often unethical practices erode economic diversity
and sustainability. Governments and citizens must act decisively by
implementing regulatory measures and practicing boycotts to protect their
national interests, promote fair agriculture, and ensure social justice.
