Costa Rica’s pineapple sector takes a key step toward sustainability and human rights

San José (ILO News) – The National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters of Costa Rica (CANAPEP) and seven affiliated companies concluded the first stage of a cooperation process to strengthen their capacities on business and human rights, with support from the Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean Project (RBCLAC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), funded by the European Union.

© OIT

© OIT

Between January and August 2025, CANAPEP and its companies participated in a series of practical workshops focused on Responsible Business Conduct and human rights due diligence. The activities were aligned with key international frameworks, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

As part of the progress achieved, participating companies received training to implement due diligence processes; a draft human rights policy commitment was developed to serve as a foundation for companies to create their own commitments; and a mapping of common and recurring human rights and environmental impacts along the pineapple supply chain was conducted. This diagnosis provides essential input for future risk management.

This joint effort marks a milestone for the sector. The seven participating companies now have concrete tools to anticipate risks, promote decent working conditions, and align their operations with international standards on sustainability and human rights.

The process was carried out with technical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Labour Organization, and with the support of Costa Rica’s National Technical University, which hosted the sessions. Based on these outcomes, the RBCLAC Project will continue supporting CANAPEP and its affiliated companies in implementing their commitments and action plans.