A German-based importer is having success across Europe with a Fairtrade organic banana.
The Fairnando, as the fruit is branded, was being showcased at Fruit Logistica this week by Port International.
Mike Port, general manager, said only organic fertiliser is used on the fruit, and all pesticides used are free of chemicals.
“All the growers share in the proceeds, and in this way they understand that lasting success only comes from good quality,” he said.
Port International supplies all European countries with 50,000 cartons of fresh organic bananas, including Fairnando, each day.
The branded fruit is sourced from 700 growers in Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
Organic fruit and veg sales are booming for the company, said Port. Over the past two years it has seen sales increase by more than 100 per cent.
However, the increase in organic production has been something of a necessity, rather than a choice, as many of the producers have found themselves unable to afford pesticides or fertilizers, according to Port.
“This has been a blessing in disguise for them, because it means that they can now produce organic bananas.”
