FIFCO, a major player in the food and beverage sector in Central America, has strengthened its Early Warning System (EWS) as part of its broader Climate Strategy. The initiative aims to address the increasing risks posed by climate change, such as droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events that threaten agricultural production, transportation, and supply chain operations.
The EWS is being developed in collaboration with Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN) and the National Emergency Commission (CNE). It integrates risk management practices, climate science, and technology to help anticipate the impacts of climate change on both suppliers and company operations.
According to data from the State of the Nation Report, Costa Rica experienced a record 1,610 disasters linked to climate phenomena in 2024. Economic losses from Hurricane Rafael alone were estimated at ₡352 billion. These figures highlight the importance for companies like FIFCO to strengthen their ability to prevent and manage climate-related disruptions.
Since 2023, FIFCO has worked on a project called “Supply Chain Continuity in the Face of Climate Impact.” This effort focuses on identifying and managing climate risks across its business units and value chain. The objective is to reduce vulnerabilities, anticipate critical scenarios, and ensure operational stability amid ongoing climate changes.
“Climate adaptation is a prerequisite for ensuring business continuity and the security of our supply chain. Anticipating risks allows us to protect people, our suppliers, and the environment, and to make timely decisions based on reliable technical information,” said Maria Pía Robles, FIFCO’s Director of Corporate Relations.
As part of this initiative, FIFCO assessed its key suppliers using Maplecroft’s Climate Vulnerability Index methodology in 2025. The results showed that while 18.2% of participating suppliers have high resilience to climate impacts and 45.5% are considered resilient, 36.4% display low resilience. For those with lower resilience levels, FIFCO has implemented individualized adaptation plans focused on awareness-raising, training, and incorporating mitigation measures.
The company also provided suppliers with a toolkit designed to assess their own climate resilience. This resource helps them anticipate potential disruptions related to logistics or operational impacts caused by weather events.
FIFCO’s Early Warning System uses georeferenced data via Google Earth to map areas most vulnerable to extreme weather in Costa Rica—including regions such as the Caribbean coast; Northern Zone; North, Central, and South Pacific; as well as the Central Valley—each facing specific risks like floods or heat waves. Suppliers can geolocate their facilities within these maps for better preparedness.
An agile communication channel links distribution teams at FIFCO with environmental specialists and supplier contacts so that real-time decisions can be made during emergencies.
Between 2007 and 2024, Costa Rica was ranked second among Central American countries plus the Dominican Republic for having the most adaptation initiatives targeting soil management, resilient crops, and food safety—over half focusing on these areas. With enhancements made to its EWS entering 2026, FIFCO continues efforts aimed at maintaining operational continuity while contributing positively toward community resilience against climate threats.
