Introduction
This blog post showcases Fita's unique position in the Rwandan agricultural export industry. It successfully exports fresh red Scotch Bonnet chillies from Rwanda to the UK. It underlines the company’s pioneering commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, a key differentiator in the market.
Through our innovative processing techniques, Fita transforms what would traditionally be considered waste into usable products, ensuring minimal harvest loss.
Example Batch Summary:
- Total chillies harvested: 568 kg
- Fresh chillies exported: 467 kg (82.22%)
- Chillies rejected for fresh export: 101 kg (17.78%)
- Unusable (dead) chillies: 13 kg (2.29%)
Circular Economy Approach: Transforming Rejected Chillies
Fita Limited’s approach to agro-processing ensures that around 87% of the chillies rejected for fresh export are repurposed.
While they do not meet the exact standards required for the fresh market, these chillies are perfectly suitable for other uses.
By transforming them into high-quality processed products, such as our renowned chilli paste, sauces, or mash, Fita reduces waste and optimises resource use and ensures that nearly all produce finds a marketable outlet, reinforcing our zero-waste goals.
Visual Representation of Resource Use:
The pie chart below illustrates the breakdown of how Fita Limited maximises resource use from the total harvest:
Sustainability and Economic Benefits:
- Reduces food waste: Fita demonstrates its commitment to responsible agricultural practices by repurposing nearly all rejected chillies.
This approach reduces waste and maximises profitability for the farmers. Fita's ability to convert 87.13% of the rejected chillies into profitable products significantly enhances the financial viability of each harvest, demonstrating the company's potential return on investment.
- Supports the local economy: Processing chillies locally creates jobs and adds value to the supply chain, benefiting the Rwandan economy.
By focusing on processing and adding value to the rejected chillies, Fita aligns with the principles of the circular economy.
This approach ensures that resources are used efficiently, minimised waste, and local communities benefit from increased economic activity.
Summary
Fita Limited’s innovative processing of rejected chillies highlights the company’s leadership in sustainable agriculture and agro-export.
With an example 467 kg of fresh Scotch Bonnet chillies successfully exported to the UK and 87.13% of rejected chillies transformed into valuable processed products, Fita meets high export standards and contributes to the circular economy.
Fita sets a compelling example of how agro-export companies can operate more sustainably by minimising waste and maximising resource utilisation. This holistic approach, deeply rooted in the circular economy principles, positions Fita as a forward-thinking, responsible company in the global agricultural sector.
