On 18 July, UGPBAN, the union of banana grower associations of Martinique and Guadeloupe, signed an agreement with French importer-distributor Pomona to acquire the latter’s subsidiary, Fruidor, including its valuable network of banana-ripening facilities.
The acquisition is due to be completed on 30 November, according to UGPBAN’s managing director Philippe Ruelle, as long as the deal gains approval from France’s competition commission.
Prior to last summer’s devastation caused by Hurricane Dean, UGPBAN controlled 36-38 per cent of the French market for green (unripe) bananas. The addition of Fruidor’s approximately 28 per cent would therefore put the group in an extremely strong position on the market.
“Fruidor was already our main client,” Mr Ruelle told Fruitnet.com. “So this deal will enable us to have more direct contact and increase communication, which is crucial.”
The acquisition, he continued, was certain to strengthen UGPBAN’s position on the French market. “After being absent from the market for eight months,” he said, “it is important for us to be able to consolidate our position.”
Mr Ruelle anticipates a decision from the competition commission in October.
