Del Monte Kenya Limited is marking its 70th anniversary with the announcement of its expansion of production and manufacturing facilities. The company is currently finalising a Ksh 500 million new state-of-the-art, fresh fruit packing facility with a processing capacity of 60 tonnes of fresh fruit per year.
The new facility, which is being constructed within Del Monte Kenya’s plantation is scheduled to be completed in August 2019 and is expected to have a big impact on the company’s plans to expand its production and distribution of fresh pineapples and other fresh fruit such as avocados, mangos and passion fruit.
“Del Monte Kenya plans to source fruit from local and regional growers in Murang’a and Kiambu Counties, we will prepare and package the products from the new Del Monte facility for both local and international markets,” said Stergios Gkaliamoutsas, Managing Director.
The new facility will be a big boost to the local economies of Murang’a and Kiambu Counties where we are set to create 200 new jobs. The Company started its fresh produce operations in 2010 and has seen tremendous growth and success in cultivating Del Monte Gold® Extra sweet pineapple. Since first establishing its Del Monte Kenya Limited division, the Del Monte® brand has become one of Kenya’s most significant contributors to social and economic progress.
Currently, Del Monte Kenya employs over 6,500 employees, and creates additional 28,000 jobs indirectly though its activities. The company houses half of its workforce within the company’s premises.
“From the moment we embarked on our relationship with Kenya, just after the country gained its independence, we have been proud to make investments in the people and prosperity of Kenya as a nation,” said Gkaliamoutsas. “Over the past several decades we have turned vacant, unoccupied, unused land into thriving plantations with irrigation and water infrastructure, roads, clinics, and schools that benefit the entire community. We’re now looking forward to taking these accomplishments further alongside the Kenyan government and its people.”
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On Del Monte’s agenda is helping the government achieve its Big Four Agenda for local cultivation, agro-processing, and full-value-added support for manufacturing and food security.
