Bananas sourced in Mexico will feed consumer demand in both North America and Asia for Coliman, said Audee Rios Canobbio, director of corporate sales for the Jalisco, Mexico-based company.
It is crucial for retailers to offer fair trade bananas to consumers, said Kim Chackal, director of sales and marketing at Quebec-based Equifruit, Inc.
As a new entrant in the North American market, Favorita has been focused on reaching out to customers in the U.S. and Canada, said Dionysios (Dennis) Christou, director of the U.S. Division for Favorita USA Corp.
Higher per-unit banana selling prices in 2021 helped Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., increase annual profits compared with 2020.
Organics Unlimited is a family-owned, woman-led banana wholesaler of organic, fairly traded bananas with growing operations in Mexico and Ecuador, said Daniella Velazquez de Leon, general manager of the company.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Dole Food Co. has launched an integrated sustainability campaign aimed at amplifying its commitment to the key enterprise-wide sustainability goals launched in 2020 under “The Dole Way.”
Organics Unlimited is touting its care of the environment, social responsibility commitments and total focus on organic bananas through its marketing efforts.
Working with two cooperatives of small banana producers in Peru and Ecuador, Montreal-based Equifruit Inc. expects steady supply in the months ahead, said Jennie Coleman, president of the firm.
Oke USA Fruit Co./Equal Exchange Produce has intensified its consumer-focused marketing efforts on behalf of the three grower cooperatives with which it works in Ecuador and Peru.
Fair Trade-certified bananas are arriving at Earl’s Organic Produce in San Francisco more quickly this year than they had previously, said Rodrigo Velasquez, banana specialist.
Kids and families are central to marketing efforts at Westlake Village, Calif.-based Dole Food Co. this year, said Bil Goldfield, director of corporate communications.
While world headlines are fixed on the coronavirus COVID-19, the banana industry is concerned, as well, about stopping the spread of Fusarium Wilt tropical race 4 — commonly called TR4 or Panama disease.
In the banana business, process is almost as important as product, according to some marketers. Organic bananas continue to gain market traction, marketers point out.
Good weather in South America has compensated for cool temperatures in Mexico to stabilize banana volume for the North American market heading into spring, marketers say.
Throughout December, Chiquita Brands International is unveiling new banana sticker designs from Spanish illustrator and fashion designer Ricardo Cavolo.
The biggest banana-related trend at Earl’s Organic Produce in San Francisco is a move away from plastic packaging, said Jonathan Kitchens, fruit buyer.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Chiquita Brands will announce the winners of its Fuel the Fun Back to School promotion early in 2020, said Jamie Postell, director of sales, North America.
U.S. banana importers seemed concerned but not panicked after it was reported that Fusarisum wilt tropical race 4 — commonly referred to as TR4 or Panama disease — was detected in Colombia in August.
Behind only potatoes in frequency of consumer purchases, bananas are tied with apples as the most popular fruit commodity in The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2019 survey.
Companies that supply bananas have encountered numerous supply and transportation difficulties this year, stemming from weather and political issues in various growing regions.
When they pick up a bunch of bananas, most consumers look for fruit that is beyond the solid green stage but not yet to the point where it’s starting to “speckle.”
A growing number of suppliers now offer bananas that are Fair Trade certified to ensure that workers and the environment are treated well where the fruit is produced.
