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 San Diego-based company.
“This year has seen a lot of movement in the banana market,” said Velazquez de Leon. “Our focus will be on our consistent, uninterrupted supply of bananas for our clients, as well as highlighting transparency with a clear view direct from supermarket to growers, which we consistently hear consumers want to see more of.”
The company’s supply last year was hurt by a cold winter. Organics Unlimited was able to mitigate that hit, however, with supply from other growing regions, Velazquez de Leon said. “As we dive into the third month of the year, supply is strong and steady, exactly where we expect it to be at this time of the year.”
Organic bananas are growing in sales, Velazquez de Leon said.
“Demand for organic bananas is strong,” she said. “In this day and age, every retailer is looking to offer both organic and conventional options, and with bananas being one of the top volume drivers, it is no exception to the rule.”
The Packer’s Q and A with Daniella Velazquez de Leon, general manager of the San Diego-based Organics Unlimited.
The Packer: The biggest impact felt by the banana industry from the pandemic has been ... (fill in the blank).
Velazquez de Leon: The significant impact of the supply chain crisis on input costs. This has resulted in a tipping point for the banana industry. Bananas have always been notoriously low-priced at retail but a low margin business for growers. The end of 2021 saw an enormous vocalization from banana growers across the globe, demanding fair prices for their product, especially in the face of dramatic cost increases in fertilizers, packaging and freight.
The Packer: How has banana marketing changed in the past 20 years?
Velazquez de Leon: Today’s consumers prioritize sustainability and social responsibility; we see banana companies looking to highlight these aspects of their business models.
The Packer: What is the biggest challenge in expanding the consumption of bananas in the next decade?
Velazquez de Leon: Its stereotype as a cheap fruit. Bananas are due for a makeover that talks about more than price and gives consumers a look behind the curtain. There’s so much to be said about them, from their versatility and health benefits, to their impact on whole economies across the globe.
The Packer: Is it important for retailers to offer organic and ‘fair trade’ options to consumers?
Velazquez de Leon: One-hundred and twenty percent. Organic is here to stay. At this point, it is almost a ‘given’ that consumers expect to see that option at retail — I don’t remember the last time I went to a store that didn’t carry organic bananas. Fairly traded options are the next step in our food system journey toward transparency, which has been a big push in the organic industry. Consumers want to know who is growing their bananas and how they are grown; they want to have a positive impact with their dollars, and that’s increasingly important in the banana industry that has a messy history when it comes to social responsibility. Suppliers need to be willing to be open and honest with consumers and give them an unabashed look behind the curtain.
The Packer: What changes, if any, do you see in how bananas are presented/packaged at retail?
Velazquez de Leon: Bananas have always been minimal in terms of packaging. As the trend continues toward more sustainable packaging, I believe we’ll see less banded options and stick to minimal packaging. Here, less will be more.
