Matanuska Africa Ltd is a subsidiary of the Rift Valley Corporation, which is active in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Matanuska produces bananas in Nacala Port district in the northern province of Nampula, in an area of 1,400 hectares, and employing about 2,600 people from the surrounding communities.
According to the Fresh Fruit Portal website, under the new partnership, Dole Fresh Fruit Europe will be responsible for all sales operations and will become the sole distributor of Matanuska bananas in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Dole will also provide logistical assistance and technical support for Matanuska’s agricultural operations.
“The tie in with Dole Fresh Fruit Europe will allow Matanuska to develop a better product as well as provide Matanuska access to industry expertise to increase its banana production to seven to eight million boxes by the end of 2016,” Rift Valley group development director Sevki Isin said.
Ken Docherty, who is currently in charge of the Matanuska sales office, will be heading a new Dole office in Dubai that will also market a full range of Southern Hemisphere products in the region.
“We are delighted with the partnership with Matanuska which will deliver better and closer service to our Middle East customer base. Our expertise and know-how all along the supply chain will create a strong value proposition,” said Dole Fresh Fruit Europe president Johan Linden.
Dole Fresh Fruit Europe is part of the US-based agricultural corporation, the Dole Food Company, which claims to be the largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world.
Post published in: Africa News