An expanding UK-based banana firm has set its sights on the Chinese, Russian, and American markets.
BanaBay, formed at the start of 2013, has experienced 'meteoric growth' in its short life, and now imports 10 containers a week from its plantations in Ecuador, with plans in the offing to increase banana volumes by a further 50 per cent.
As well as continuing to cultivate its British base, the firm has expanded into the Irish, Dutch, New Zealand and Egyptian markets, and is currently in talks with a Russian customer.
Mark O'Sullivan, managing director, said:“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.
“We will be targeting market growth in New Zealand, where the market expects premium quality fruit, but will 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.”
The firm, which is GlobalGAP accredited, hopes to achieve Fairtrade and Organic Fairtrade certification before the end of the year, which O’Sullivan believes will further accelerate BanaBay’s growth.
