UK: New banana brand BanaBay hits million milestone

Since the launch of new banana brand BanaBay in the UK just nine months ago, the company has experienced meteoric growth and is now importing ten containers a week from its extensive, ethically managed plantations in Ecuador, with a major new contract shortly to be confirmed which is expected to increase volumes by up to a further 50%.

Having established a healthy base in the UK, BanaBay has recently opened up new contracts in Ireland, The Netherlands and Eastern Europe, as well as Egypt and New Zealand; the company is currently in negotiation with a Russian customer and also has its sights set firmly on China and the US for 2014.

According to Managing Director Mark O’Sullivan, the strong growth of the brand is partially due of the exceptional quality of the fruit but also the direct sourcing opportunity that enables customers to deal directly with the grower. “Our bananas are premium quality,” he confirms. “Potential customers have tested our fruit in a supermarket environment and have been amazed to watch consumers repeatedly selecting BanaBay bananas over other alternatives – because BanaBay bananas look as good as they taste!

In addition, because BanaBay not only grows and harvests the fruit, but also ships, stores and distributes it, customers have confidence in the reliability of the supply chain as well as enjoying a more flexible service. We are very customer service focused and are able to meet exact requirements in terms of ripeness and delivery, which is one of the reasons behind our success.”

The company, which is already Global G.A.P. accredited, is on track to achieve FairTrade and Organic FairTrade certification before the end of the year, which O’Sullivan believes will further accelerate BanaBay’s growth.

“Our target is to grow to 30 containers a week by the end of 2014 and we expect to double that figure year on year,” he says. “We will be targeting market growth in New Zealand, where the market expects premium quality fruit, but also look to open up markets in both the US and in China, where there is obvious potential to develop high volumes and the opportunities for BanaBay are huge.”

BanaBay will be visiting the PA in New Orleans in October and will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in February.

For more information:
Mark O’Sullivan
Logistic Partners Ltd/BanaBay
Tel: 0044 845 0030750
www.banabay.co.uk