Del Monte Kenya Limited, a leading fruits and vegetables processor, has set up a state-of –the art- freezer that can process 3.6 tonnes of pineapple per hour, giving the firm the flexibility to supply frozen fruit to buyers in Europe and other markets abroad.
The $4 million (approximately KSh515 million) Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) processing line sits on Del Monte’s existing canning infrastructure at its Thika farm.
By freezing individual pieces of prepared pineapple to below -18°C, the technology preserves quality across longer supply chains while reducing post-harvest losses.
Del Monte has also commissioned an 807 Kw solar power plant that will assist in reducing its carbon footprint.
“These facilities signal our future as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation and rural economic empowerment. Our investment will strengthen Kenya’s agricultural value chain and boost export competitiveness, creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities,” said Wayne Cook, Del Monte Kenya Managing Director.
The solar plant, developed in partnership with Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions (BECS), a provider of energy and decarbonisation solutions, will reduce the company’s dependence on an often-unreliable national grid, lower long-term energy costs, and reduce carbon emissions.
For a facility where electricity demand fluctuates with the agricultural season, on-site generation is both practical and strategic.
Speaking during the commissioning, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, welcomed the announcement as an example of the kind of domestic investment Kenya needs.
Del Monte Freezer Capabilities
“The frozen line and solar plant are exactly the value-addition initiatives that will reduce our reliance on raw exports and position local industries to thrive in global markets. We commend Del Monte Kenya for leading the way,” he said.
“The commissioning of the solar PV plant is a demonstration of BECS focus on providing energy as a service tailored to the specific needs of an industrial partner like Del Monte Kenya. BECS designed, built, financed and now operates and maintains the solar facility. Del Monte Kenya’s decision to partner with BECS sends a clear signal to the market: clean energy is a way for Kenyan industry to reduce cost, lower emissions and improve the reliability of energy supply. BECS is proud to support this journey and we see this as the beginning of a much longer and deeper partnership,” said Nicholas Tatrallyay, Managing Director, BECS.
The freezer and solar projects have been welcomed by local communities in Kiambu and Murang’a counties, where Del Monte Kenya is one of the largest employers.
Residents said they hoped the expanded processing capacity would translate into more stable jobs and greater economic activity in the surrounding areas.
“These projects by Del Monte change everything for us. It means there will be more jobs for young people, more money in our pockets which will enable us to take better care of our families,” said Japheth Maingi, an employee at the farm.
Del Monte’s IQF facility within the existing canning infrastructure, has the capacity to process 3.6 tons of pineapple per hour giving DMKL additional flexibility in raw material utilization.
Fresh pineapple sourced from the plantations is prepared into pieces, chunks, tidbits or cubes at the canning lines, then goes through a sequence of process steps which include inspection, disinfection and dewatering before entering to the freezing unit. In the freezer, the product is conveyed in fluidized conveyor bed and each piece is frozen to below minus 18 degrees centigrade for quality preservation.
Final IQF product is packed in polylinned cartons and sold in bulk cartons for industrial use mainly in the export market.
All IQF line sort-outs are put back to the concentrate line thereby eliminating waste to land fill which further aligns with DMKL’s sustainability agenda to reduce food loss and waste to land fill.
The IQF plant is part of diversification strategy for DMKL to venture into processing of other fruits and vegetables in Kenya.
It includes a mango processing line capable of handling both company-grown fruit and produce sourced from smallholder out growers, opening a new route to market for Kenyan farmers.
The plant has recently been audited for compliance with FSSC 22000 food safety and quality standards and is awaiting certification.
DMKL looks forward to export various IQF frozen fruits and vegetables to Europe market and across the world.
The 807kW solar power plant is part of Del Monte’s commitment to sustainable and reliable energy solutions. In an operating environment where mains electricity supply can be limited and unpredictable, the solar installation enables the business to harness Kenya’s abundant sunshine to power its operations efficiently and reduce dependence on grid electricity.
Developed in partnership with BECS, the project reflects a shared commitment to advancing clean energy adoption in Kenya. The plant significantly lowers the company’s carbon footprint while enhancing energy security and operational resilience.
Del Monte Kenya Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., is a leading producer, marketer, and distributor of high-quality fresh fruit and prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
As the largest single exporter of Kenyan products, Del Monte Kenya Limited is an important contributor to the country’s economic development and takes pride in investing in the people and prosperity of Kenya.
ALSO READ: Del Monte Kenya Makes Radical Shift in Staff Transport
Leave a comment