Del Monte bananas

Del Monte is to open its first ripening facility in France. The multinational said the state-of-the-art ripening rooms, part of a 3,000m2 distribution centre being constructed at Rungis International market on the outskirts of Paris, are due to open on 2 January 2014.

Del Monte said once the work is complete, the rooms will be able to stock 27 tonnes, with an additional capacity to store 500 pallets of other products, such as deciduous, citrus and tropical fruit. Eric Hellot, managing director of Del Monte France, said the company also plans to use the Rungis facility to produce and distribute some of its fresh-cut lines.