Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Chiquita Europe B.V., UK Branch is the British extension of the globally recognized fruit brand Chiquita, operating as a distributor and marketer of premium bananas and tropical fruits across the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Sheerness, Kent, the UK branch serves as a critical logistical and distribution hub for Chiquita’s fruit supply chain into the British retail and foodservice sectors.

Core Business

Chiquita Europe B.V., UK Branch functions primarily as a marketing and distribution unit for Chiquita Brands International, facilitating the import, ripening, and delivery of bananas and pineapples to supermarkets, wholesalers, and institutional buyers throughout the UK. The company’s core competencies lie in quality control, sustainable sourcing, and brand leadership in the fresh produce industry.

Product and Service Offerings

Chiquita offers a diverse range of banana products to cater to various consumer needs and retail formats:

• Bananas:

  • Class Extra – Highest grade bananas with optimal ripeness, color, and size
  • Green Bananas – For on-demand ripening in wholesale and foodservice
  • Singles To Go – Individually packaged bananas for convenience retail
  • Organic Bananas – Certified organic, sustainably grown options
  • Minis Bananas – Child-sized bananas ideal for snacking
  • Plantains – Cooking bananas used widely in ethnic cuisines
  • Manzanos Bananas – Sweet, apple-flavored dessert banana variety
  • Reds Bananas – Nutrient-rich and exotic variety with red skin

• Pineapples:

  • Chiquita Pineapples – High-sweetness golden pineapples, hand-selected for ripeness and taste

The UK branch supports the logistics, import documentation, and ripening operations needed to ensure year-round availability of these products.

Specialization and USP

Chiquita’s UK branch capitalizes on the company’s global infrastructure and market dominance:

• One of the most recognized fruit brands worldwide
• Dedicated UK infrastructure to support cold chain integrity, ripening rooms, and last-mile delivery
• Pioneers of sustainably grown and Rainforest Alliance Certified™ bananas
• Maintains strict quality control protocols to meet retailer and food safety standards
• Active consumer engagement campaigns and retail promotions to build brand equity

Financial and Shipment Insights

Chiquita Brands International is a multi-billion dollar global entity, and its UK operations play a key role in its European distribution strategy:

• UK banana consumption exceeds 5 billion units annually, with Chiquita holding a significant market share
• Regular containerized banana imports via Sheerness Port
• Infrastructure in place for weekly vessel arrivals and advanced ripening facilities
• Partnerships with leading UK supermarket chains, foodservice providers, and wholesale markets

The UK branch facilitates the handling of thousands of metric tons of bananas and pineapples annually, contributing to the company's strong European footprint.

Target Market

Chiquita Europe B.V., UK Branch serves multiple customer segments:

• National and regional supermarket chains
• Wholesalers and food distributors
• Convenience retail chains
• Foodservice and hospitality groups
• School nutrition and institutional buyers

Capabilities

• High-capacity banana ripening facilities
• Full cold chain logistics from port to retailer
• In-house QA and compliance for fresh produce standards
• Ability to manage private label and branded supply contracts
• Real-time supply chain visibility and demand forecasting

Certifications and Compliance

Chiquita’s UK operations are aligned with global standards for quality and sustainability:

• Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms
• GlobalG.A.P., Fair Trade, and Organic certifications across select product lines
• Compliant with UK Food Standards Agency regulations and EU import controls
• Full traceability and ISO 22000 food safety management systems

Environmental and social compliance is integral to Chiquita's global mission of “Behind the Blue Sticker,” which reflects ethical sourcing and transparent supply chains.

Customer Testimonials

“Chiquita bananas are our customers’ top pick. Their consistency in quality and supply reliability is unmatched.”
— Fresh Produce Manager, UK Supermarket Chain

“The level of care they put into ripening and delivering their fruit is evident. We've partnered with them for over a decade.”
— Director, Wholesale Produce Distributor, Midlands

Major Achievements

• One of the most recognized fruit brands in the UK market
• Strong partnerships with Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and other major UK retailers
• First banana brand to implement fully carbon-neutral shipping lanes
• Continuous innovation in eco-friendly packaging and QR-coded traceability
• Active supporter of community health and nutrition education initiatives across the UK

Chiquita Europe B.V., UK Branch continues to lead in sustainable, high-quality fruit supply in the UK, backed by its global legacy, trusted sourcing, and commitment to ethical produce.