Fresh Del Monte Appoints Dr. Nizar Haddad to Lead Innovation and Business Development, Overseeing Groundbreaking Biofertilizer Initiative

Visionary agricultural leader joins company to drive innovation and enhance operational efficiency

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announces today the appointment of Dr. Nizar Haddad as Director of Innovation and Business Development at Fresh Del Monte, and General Manager of De l’Ora Bio, a Fresh Del Monte-led partnership with Vellsam Materias Bioactivas. De l’Ora Bio recently opened a groundbreaking biofertilizer plant in Kenya to maximize the use of Fresh Del Monte’s pineapple byproducts.

Dr. Haddad’s appointment represents a significant step in Fresh Del Monte’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and product innovation. Under his leadership, De l’Ora Bio will focus on converting pineapple byproducts from Fresh Del Monte's operations into high-quality biofertilizers, contributing to the company’s broader goals of reducing waste and improving resource utilization.

In addition to his role at De l’Ora Bio, Dr. Haddad will explore new opportunities for Fresh Del Monte to continue evolving its agricultural practices. His aim is to ensure that Fresh Del Monte remains at the forefront of industry innovation, setting new standards for agricultural excellence and operational effectiveness.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Haddad to the Fresh Del Monte family. His unparalleled expertise in agricultural innovation and his passion for sustainable development make him a valuable addition to our team,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and CEO of Fresh Del Monte. “Dr. Haddad embodies the innovative spirit that drives our organization, and I believe that under his leadership and with his expertise, we will continue to break new ground in sustainable agriculture.”

Dr. Haddad joins Fresh Del Monte with a distinguished background in the agricultural and scientific communities. As the former Director General of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Jordan, he revolutionized the agricultural sector by introducing cutting-edge digitalization and smart solutions. His visionary leadership led to the creation of the region's first agricultural innovation incubator, the launch of the e-NARC platform, and the establishment of the National Seed Bank—each initiative a testament to his commitment to advancing agricultural practices for future generations.

In his new role, Dr. Haddad will be at the forefront of Fresh Del Monte’s innovation strategy, ensuring that De l’Ora Bio sets new benchmarks in biofertilizer production. His leadership will play a critical role in enhancing the company’s operational capabilities and fostering innovative practices that align with Fresh Del Monte's vision of continuous improvement and agricultural excellence.

ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.