Company has reportedly agreed to establish an organic production trial in Sicily, working with local cooperative Alba Bio
Multinational fruit supplier Chiquita has agreed to help establish an organic banana production trial in Sicily, a move which could see it sell Italian bananas as early as next year.
As reported in the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, the company is working with a Ragusa-based cooperative called Alba Bio and plans to grow 20,000 plants starting this autumn.
The move marks the latest key development in Sicily’s fruit sector, which has also seen notable growth in products like avocados, mangoes, and blueberries over the past decade.
Costabile Romano, Chiquita’s commercial director in Italy, told the publication the project had two aims. “On the one hand, to strengthen the bond with Italian consumers, who have a strong sensitivity to the origin of products and who have always considered Chiquita a truly loved brand,” he explained. “On the other hand, to contribute to enhancing local production by placing it in an international context.”
He added: “With the Italian-grown banana, we are taking a concrete step towards these objectives… strengthening our presence in the local market, and enhancing the Italian supply chain, telling a story of authenticity and transparency that today’s consumers are increasingly seeking.”
