Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate - International Development Committee Contents


Written evidence submitted by Blue Skies

  1.  Blue Skies is a fresh fruit cutting business with production facilities in Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa. The company specialises in exporting high quality, just harvested, fruit products to Europe in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. The group supplies fresh cut fruit and juices to retailers including Waitrose, J Sainsbury, ASDA, Albert Heijn and Monoprix.

2.  Blue Skies is recognised as a model for sustainable development in the developing world. This year we have received a Queens Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Category and we are proud of our ethos of adding value to products at source.

  3.  Airfreight is a key to our sustainability as it allows us and companies like us to cut and pack highly perishable produce in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and Brazil and deliver it to our customers within its very limited shelf life. This brings significant socio-economic benefits where we operate. Our biggest factory is in Ghana which employs over 100 people, supports 150 small holder farms and exports over ten tonnes of processed fruit per day. This equates to 1% of Ghana's total exports and 20% of Ghana's pineapple exports.

  4.  Key facts and figures:

    a. Founded in 1998. Pioneered fresh-cut fruit.

    b. Built upon a culture of fairness, trust and respect.

    c. Supplies 12 major European retailers.

    d. The company has grown by 25% every year for the past 10 years.

    e. 2008 group turnover likely to be £32 million.

    f. Employ over 2500 people in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and Brazil.

    g. Presented with Queens Award for Sustainable Development in 2008.

  5.  Impact in Ghana:

    a. Employ over 1,000 people in Ghana.

    b. Lowest salary is four times the national minimum wage.

    c. Contribute £2.5 million to the local economy per year through salaries. Biggest employer in the Eastern Region.

    d. Economic development has improved living conditions in Nsawam and Dobro and enabled investment in small businesses.

    e. Growers benefit from a long term, sustainable approach. Loans, payment within seven days, continuous training and support, premium price.

    f. Supports a supply base, in Ghana, of 150 small-holder farms.

    g. Responsible for 1% of Ghana's total exports, 30% of pineapple exports and 70% of mango exports.

    h. £90,000 invested in community projects to improve the lives of farmers and their communities who supply Blue Skies per year.

    i. 100% of waste is recycled at source. Organic waste is composted, waste water is recycled.

    j. Standards achieved: GlobalGAP, LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Fairtrade, Soil Association Organic, Soil Association Ethical Trade Organic, BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), British Retail Consortium (Food Safety), IFS (International Food Standard).

  6.  Challenges:

    a. The weak pound against the dollar has devalued our sales value by 25% as most of our earnings are in pounds whilst nearly all our costs are in dollars.

    b. The sharp increase in oil price earlier this year significantly increased our costs; however the failure by some of the airlines to proportionately pass on the recently reduced oil price is putting additional strain on our business.

  7.  Recommendations for Government:

    a. Ensure airlines operate fairly and do not profit from volatile oil prices at the expense of developing world producers.

    b. Ensure adequate funds are invested into alternative fuels for aviation to avert severe impacts of Climate Change and Peak Oil.

    c. Encourage further government, public and private-sector support for ethically sourced products from the developing world.

    d. Provide funding for renewable energy projects for businesses in developing countries.





 
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