LATIN AMERICA TRADE AWARD 2011
January 03, 2012
NATURE’S PRIDE WINNER OF THE LATIN AMERICA TRADE AWARD 2011
On 15 December, the Latin America Trade Award 2011 was awarded to Dutch company Nature’s Pride. The Latin American Trade Award (LATA) is awarded bi-annually to a Dutch enterpise for its distinctive contribution to Latin America-Dutch business relations. This year the award was presented by Mr Chris Buijink, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.
Ever since its establishment in 2001, Nature’s Pride has been active in Latin America, importing, exporting, ripening, packing and distributing exotic fruits and vegetables. Two thirds of all its products originate from Latin America. Through its own ‘Ethical Trade Agreement’, Nature’s Pride collaborates closely with growers and promotes investment in sustainable production methods. Corporate Social Responsibility is not a branding strategy, but an integral part of Nature’s Pride’s corporate philosophy and strategy. Nature’s Pride is also actively engaged in important innovations in transport, and recently started ‘Fair for Life – Fair Trade’ certification of its products. In Latin America, CBI and Nature’s Pride collaborate closely in supporting fruits and vegetable exporters in such countries as Guatemala and Colombia.
Apart from the LATA 2011 for Nature’s Pride, a People’s Choice Award was awarded, based on popular votes, to Thermaflex, a Dutch manufacturer of special pipes and insulation products for large building projects. Its innovative products distinguish themselves in the market for their contibution to energy saving, the sustainable material they are made of (100% recyclable) and their ISO 14001-certified production. Thermaflex has been active in Latin America since 2007 with offices in Mexico and Panama, which serve 18 countries in the region.
The LATA is an initiative of the Netherlands-Latin American Business Council (NLABC), which is affiliated to the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion (NCH). The 2011 LATA ceremony was its sixth edition and was organized in collaboration with Rabobank International. CBI was represented in the the LATA 2011 jury.
Photo: Adriëlle Dankier, Nature’s Pride / Jan Bestebreurtje, President of NLABC / Chris Buijink, Secretary-General Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation / Els Lindeboom, Nature’s Pride
