Del Monte Kenya

The company was previously known as Kenya Canners, which formed in 1948. Del Monte Kenya was later renamed Del Monte Royal after control was acquired by two South African families who each owned a 30% share of the company. The remaining 40% was owned by many small shareholders. This occurred after the sale of the US company Del Monte Corporation in 1965. The company was certified under the International Organization for Standardization SA8000 in 2002, and was recertified in March 2006. Del Monte Kenya also acquired the International Organization for Standardization 9002 certificate. ==Overview==

Del Monte Kenya owns a 10,000-acre (40 km2) pineapple plantation Permanent staff receive sick pay, holidays, rental assistance, severance pay and have a contract. Seasonal workers earn less and do not receive severance pay, although they also have a contract. Casual labourers receive no benefits and are not covered by a contract. All compensation is aligned with Kenya's governmental laws that mandate a minimum wage of approximately KSh.2,800/= a month (2004 figures). The company's pineapple plantations are patrolled by security guards on horseback that utilise dogs, or in Jeeps. ==Production==

In 2011 the company's annual revenue was estimated at KSh.4.5 billion/= and its processing capacity was 1,500 tons of pineapples daily. Due to the company's existence and operations, the largest single manufactured export from Kenya is canned pineapple. Additionally, Kenya ranks among the top five pineapple exporters in the world due to the presence and operations of Cirio Del Monte Kenya. Their products are primarily exported to the European market. 34% of the company's production is juice concentrate, 22% is solid pineapple, 21% is mill juice sugar and 22% is cattle feed. ==Controversy==

The company experienced labour disputes that generated negative publicity and had received the attention of human rights groups. The report also found that the company routinely threatened shop stewards with termination. On 5 October 2000, the company was asked by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) to cease intimidation of trade unionists with Del Monte Kenya. KHRC also requested that Del Monte Kenya address matters regarding worker protection from chemicals, housing concerns and environmental pollution. In June 2023, British newspaper The Guardian reported that multiple killings occurred at Del Monte's pineapple farm in Kenya, where security guards allegedly murdered trespassers and showed general violence against locals. Multiple alleged thieves were beaten to death by the guards, and at least one of the thieves was found with his throat cut. Locals claim serious human rights violations and are seeking for compensation from the company. In response, Del Monte's customers, such as Tesco of the UK, suspended their orders of pineapples pending Del Monte's internal investigation of the matter. In August 2025 Michael Muiruri Murigi was killed by a pick-up truck on the farm and in the ensuing days "violent" protests erupted on the farm, leading to police killing a man identified as either Harrison Kibandi Marubu or Stephen Marubu. County police claimed the death happened after approximately 150 pineapple thieves “armed with machetes [and] stones” attacked officers and G4S guards. Company responses In July 2001, the company signed an agreement to support the campaign for worker rights, and shop stewards stated that positive changes were occurring. Additionally, in December 2001, the company started a tree-planting campaign in its neighborhood as part of a pledge to promote sustainable land use and environmental protection. ==Legal matters==

On 22 October 2004, the company was ordered by a Kenyan court to compensate three of its prior employees who were exposed to toxic emissions there with almost KSh.5.5 million/=. ==See also==