Group A. De Witte now supplying Brazilian bananas

Starting today, Monday, October 26, Group A. De Witte will not only supply melons, but for the first time also bananas from Brazil. Owners Jurgen and Achiel De Witte: "The first container has arrived, and is now being ripened. In the near future we're expecting to get one container a week. If this 'test period' until the end of this year is satisfactory, it's possible that more will follow in future. Then the idea is that bananas will also be marketed under our own brand Cebon."

Unique product
"Since we took over Chiquita's activities regarding melons, we also got interested in other Brazilian products," Jurgen goes on to say. "For Europe, Brazilian bananas are unique. And the transit time is shorter than Costa Rica, for instance: the boat takes 12 days to go from Brazil to Rotterdam. The good thing about these bananas is that cultivation occurs in a more ecological manner than in other banana producing countries. In Colombia, for instance, a lot is still sprayed with planes. In Brazil, that doesn't happen. Few or no crop protection products are used for cultivation. The variety is Cavendish. Our Brazilian supplier is one of the few in that country to grow bananas on a large scale. There is a synergy with the melon production, ensuring lower costs when it comes to logistics and labour."

The Brazilian banana supplier is very environmentally conscious, and currently works on a project to (re)use their own compost. "Recycling is considered very important, through an own programme. The past year, they recycled more than 1,100 tonnes of plastic, paper and other materials."

Export
Since this year, Group A. De Witte also focuses more on export. "Our Dutch company, Fresh Concept, has been exporting for years. In Belgium, the Van Dijk Foods company will focus more on export. We are looking for opportunities in various countries, both in Europe and beyond," Jurgen says. Group A. De Witte has two brands, Cibel and Cebon. Since 2015, the Cebon product range has continually been expanded. At the moment, bananas, mangoes, avocados and melons are already packaged under Cebon, and in the future pineapples and other products too. "The Cebon products are characterized by their quality. We only work with the best suppliers, and both internal and external quality controls are strong."

For more information:

Eline Vergauwen
Starfruit
Werkhuizenkaai 112
1000 Brussel - Belgium
0032/(0)471.39.57.34
eline@starfruit.be
www.star-fruit.eu