Nichirei : Helping to Resolve Social Issues through Our Business Acerola Business (528KB/2 pages)PDF

Helping to Resolve Social	4
Issues through Our Business

Sustainable Procurement That Con

Acerola Business

Initiatives

Initiative 1

Social Issues

▼	Poverty
▼	Educational issues
▼	Agriculture that takes the local
	environment into consideration
▼	Nutrition and health of local residents

Acerola, which has a strong antioxidant effect, is attracting renewed attention as a superfood rich in vitamin C. With the spread of the "clean label" movement to keep foods as additive-free as possible, acerola is being used as an alternative to synthetic vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. However, acerola fruit is very delicate and after being harvested can only be kept fresh for two to three days at room temperature. Nichirei Foods therefore utilizes the freezing technology it has cultivated to provide acerola without loss of the fruit or its vitamin C.

• Poverty and educational issues are notable in Brazil, which is our main production area. Nichirei Foods' acerola business helps create jobs for

local residents.

A Pioneer in the Acerola Business

Nichirei was one of the first companies to introduce acerola to Japan, with the launch of an acerola drink in 1986. In 1990, we made a full-scale start into this business of using acerola as a raw material, and in 1991 we established a subsidiary in Brazil, Nichirei do Brasil Agricola Ltda. ("Niagro"), to conduct this business.

Initiative 2

Building Relationships of Trust with

Contract Farmers

Niagro distributes free seedlings to contract farmers, and its employees personally provide guidance for stable cultivation and harvesting of high-quality fruit. Moreover, Niagro purchases the entire crop, generating stable income for contract farmers and improving their cultivation skills. Through this initiative, Nichirei Foods provides a stable supply of high-quality products to customers worldwide.

32 Nichirei Group Integrated Report 2021

tributes to Local Community Development

Initiative 3

Contributing to the Region

Niagro provides acerola puree and juice to local residents. Measures to support school operations include providing acerola juice once per week to schools attended by children from poor households and repairing school equipment. Niagro also creates employment through student internships.

Initiative 4

Consideration for the Environment

We also conduct eco-friendly initiatives, which we consider the duty of a company that operates a business based on acerola, part of nature's bounty. We utilize the pomace (the pulpy residue left over from the processing stage) as feed for livestock, and we are collaborating with Kindai University on the development of Acerolaburi for use as feed for farmed yellowtail (buri). In addition, water used to wash the fruit and water extracted from the fruit when making concentrated juice is returned to rivers after microbial treatment.

Value Provided

Creating "clean label" products by providing vitamin C derived from acerola fruit and contributing to the economy of the production area

In the 2021 sustainability assessment by EcoVadis of France, Niagro received a gold rating, placing in the top 5% of all companies assessed.

Nichirei do Brasil Agricola Ltda. ("Niagro")

Receives Gold Rating in EcoVadis Sustainability

Assessment (2021)▼ Page 47

Strategy Financial Story Creation Value Strategy Management

Achieving for Initiatives Strategy Business Society Sustainable a

Data

Nichirei Group Integrated Report 2021 33