The United States produces bananas in small. It, therefore, relies on banana importation to bridge the deficit in supply. The efforts to step up banana production in the US have been in top gear due to increased demand for ripened and fresh bananas for both domestic and industrial uses.
The following are the common banana brands in the United States:
- Chiquita
- Dole
- Del Monte
- Bonita
- Organics Unlimited
- Equal Exchange
- Whole Foods Market
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart’s Great Value
- Kroger’s Private Selection
The most traded banana variety in the US is Cavendish. Banana trade in the US is dominated mainly by three brand companies namely; Chiquita, Dole Company, and Del Monte. These companies control large-scale banana production in banana-producing countries.
Chiquita
Chiquita is a big multinational company that deals with the fruit trade especially bananas. Its history spans over a century and three decades. Chiquita was formerly known as United Fruit Company.
The company was formed in 1899 following a merger of Boston Fruit Company owned by Baker and Preston with the businesses run by Boston entrepreneur Minor C Keith. Keith was involved in the construction of railroads in Costarica alongside banana cultivation.
There was an exponential increase in the trade of bananas in the US and Keith capitalized on exporting bananas from Costa Rica. He eventually came to dominate the banana business in Central America and the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
In 1930, the company acquired many rival companies and dominated the market. It emerged as the lead employer. Guyamel Fruit Company based in Guatemala was one of the companies absorbed by United Fruit Company in 1930.
In 1968, 733,000 shares were sold to Elly M Black which made him the highest shareholder of United Fruit Company. Being the highest shareholder, he merged the company with AMK, his own public company to form United Brands Company.
In 1975, United Brand Company was marred with allegations of bribery. In that same year, Black died after committing suicide. In 1990, the company changed its name to Chiquita International. Chiquita International experienced frequent financial challenges. This forced it into a merger with Fyffe Company to form Chiquita Fyffe in 2014.
Dole Company
Dole Company grows and markets bananas, grapes, citrus fruit, berries, and pineapple. Dole Company is one of the world’s biggest leading fruit companies with over 38,000 employees in over 70 countries. The company operates four sections: fresh fruits section (bananas and pineapples), Diversified fresh produce in Europe, The Middle East, and Africa, diversified fresh produce in America, and fresh vegetable section.
Dole Company has over 250 processing plants in different parts of the world. Pepsi Company, an international beverage brand sells its bottled beverages under the license of Dole Company. The company has a co-marketing agreement with the Walt Disney Company to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among children.
Dole Company has witnessed up and downs in its operation frequented by financial constraints. In 2018, Dole Company merged with Total Produce to form Dole Plc. Total Produce acquired 45% of the company’s stake.
The company has approximately 109,000 acres of land for growing fruits. The company has plantations in Central America.
After the merger with Total Produce, the company established its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Del Monte
Del Monte company has been in operation for over 135 years. The company is one of the leading producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. It also has dominance in the production of canned foods in Europe.
Del Monte sells fair trade bananas in Canada and has rolled out the large-scale sale of organic bananas in the US. Most of the bananas sold by Del Monte in the US are grown in their plantations in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. The company also buys bananas from independent growers in Cameroon, Colombia, the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
In supermarkets and retail stores, Del Monte Company bananas bear Del Monte stickers.