For 7 years now, the French banana has been an official partner of the Tour de France. It is the only representative of ultra-marine agriculture, and also the only fruit present at the event. Géraldine M'Barga M'Boa, public relations manager in charge of major events, and Audrey Ktourza, UGPBAN senior group manager, take a look back at a partnership that has enabled French bananas to take centre stage alongside summer fruit.
© UGPBAN
The French banana: Official partner of the Tour de France since 2018
A partner of the Tour de France since 2018, the French banana became an official supplier in 2019, present for the public as well as the riders, at every stage of the Tour. This year, 33 tons of bananas will be distributed throughout the Tour (compared with 30 tons last year), excluding KM 97. Bananas and goodies will be offered to the public at the start towns with a quiz animation on the podium, at the start and finish areas, and along the route with the mobile banana counter. With 3 stops per stage, the public can try out the smoothie bike, souvenir photos, and other surprises. French bananas will also be available in all reception areas, raw or cooked, for guests and officials. "The distribution for the 184 cyclists at the team paddock will be much-awaited, as always," explains Géraldine M'Barga M'Boa.
"This year, the banana of Guadeloupe & Martinique is also supporting the work of Sodexo's Stop Hunger Foundation during the Tour de France, which collects surplus food for redistribution to local food banks. 4,000 bananas will be made available over the 3 weeks of the event," adds Géraldine.
© UGPBAN
49,234 bananas collected for the KM 97 operation
For the past 5 years, the French banana sector has been organizing the KM97 (in reference to its home departments 971 and 972) solidarity event during the Tour de France, to collect as many bananas as possible for an association fighting poverty. This year, the bananas collected will go towards the "Société de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul" association, which fights poverty and isolation. Since June 30th, the public and internet users have been able to donate a banana by scanning a QR code. On July 8th, during stage 4 (Amiens-Rouen), the solidarity initiative came to an end after the Tour de France riders passed through Bézu-la-Forêt (97 km from the finish), with 49,234 bananas collected (almost 6,000 tons more than in 2024, collected for the Restos du Cœur). "The bananas will be redistributed to various departments in France. But this year, thanks to the association's geographical reach, some of the bananas will also be donated in Martinique, to help families in difficulty," explains Audrey.
© UGPBAN
Every year, the KM 97 event is also about festivities: dancing and a carnival atmosphere in Guadeloupe and Martinique, this year with the "Amis des Îles" association, with entertainment and tastings.
© UGPBAN
A check symbolizing the donation of 49,234 bananas was presented to the "Société de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul" association.
The Tour de France now makes it possible to showcase bananas in summer
© UGPBAN
Despite an increase in consumption, bananas are still rarely eaten during the summer months (in 2024, bananas overtook apples to become France's favorite fruit). But the visibility provided by the Tour de France has enabled it to regain a prominent place on the shelves, alongside summer fruit. "Before the Tour de France, it was impossible to promote bananas at the height of summer. This year, 500 point-of-sale displays will be deployed by the sector managers, which will help to maintain volumes on the market, as well as a good sales dynamic."
This year, French bananas have also redesigned their graphic identity, with a simplified color code: yellow, the banana's emblematic color, and green, symbolizing agro-ecological production.
