The multinational Chiquita has announced a decisive step towards increasing local production in Europe with the launch of a pilot project to grow organic bananas in Sicily in partnership with the Ragusa-based cooperative Alba Bio.
The plan is to plant around 20,000 plants starting this fall, aiming to have the first fruits ready for marketing in 2026.
This initiative reflects the thriving dynamism of the Sicilian fruit sector, which in recent years has achieved remarkable growth in exotic crops such as mangoes, avocados, and blueberries, successfully adapted to the Mediterranean climate.
Chiquita's commercial director in Italy, Costabile Romano, stressed that the project has a dual purpose: To strengthen the connection with Italian consumers, who are increasingly interested in the origin of products and the identity of the brands offering them, and to promote local production within an internationally-oriented context, combining sustainability and competitiveness.
Romano defined the cultivation of bananas in Italy as a "firm step" towards strengthening Chiquita's presence in the domestic market and improving the supply chain, providing the authenticity and transparency demanded by today's consumers.
Source: frutasdechile.cl
