REYBANPAC, Ecuador's leading banana producer and second-largest exporter, has recently published its biennial sustainability report for 2022 and 2023. This is the first report under the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard. The new publication details the good environmental and social practices the company implemented under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this period.

Vicente Wong, CEO of REYBANPAC, states that 2022 and 2023 were years marked by resilience and effort, due to the impact of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the increase in input and logistics costs, and the situation of insecurity in Ecuador.

Wong also highlights the team's crucial role in facing these challenges. "Despite the trials, we made progress in our sustainable development objectives, in the responsible management of natural resources such as water, the protection of biodiversity, and the promotion of gender equality by strengthening the role of women in agribusiness," he said.

Regarding environmental responsibility, the company measured and reported the greenhouse gas emissions of its 43 farms, obtaining a result of 0.146 kgCO2eq per kilogram of bananas in 2023. The company has also made progress in its water use optimisation projects. In 2023 its irrigation consumption indicator was 0.02 m3/kg of bananas, while the industry average is 0.5 m3/kg.

In 2023, REYBANPAC established a biofactory at its facilities to use microorganisms, which has contributed to improving soil health and reducing the use of pesticides. In addition, the company has been supporting rural communities for 30 years through the Wong Foundation, offering access to quality education and programs to develop technical skills.

"We are convinced that education and employment are the main generators of development and wealth," emphasises Vicente Wong. The Foundation has four child development centres and three educational units that annually benefit nearly 900 children and young people.

Also, through the Productive Technical Baccalaureate (BTP) specialising in agricultural entrepreneurship, opportunities for social transformation and economic growth were generated for young people between 18 and 29 years of age, thanks to specialised training in banana production. Thirty-one per cent of the participants were women.

Reybanpac's sustainability report is available to the public in digital format in English and Spanish through its website:

https://www.favoritabananas.com/en/memoria_de_sostenibilidad

About Reybanpac

Reybanpac is one of Ecuador's leading producers and exporters of premium bananas. Its flagship brand, Favorita, is distributed in 5 continents. With 47 years of experience, Reybanpac's business model is based on sustainable production principles and

compliance with the highest quality standards. In 2023, the company reached a sales volume of 27.8 million boxes and exports to 29 destinations.