HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dole Fresh Fruit Europe is announcing it has reached a long term commercial partnership with Matanuska Africa Limited by which Dole will assume all sales operations and become the sole distributor of Matanuska's Mozambique banana production in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In addition Dole will assist Matanuska logistically and supply technical support in its farming operations.
Matanuska, owned by Rift Valley Corporation, is based in Northern Mozambique, 100 km from the deep-sea port of Nacala and has under cultivation 1,400 hectares of bananas. The current site is fully irrigated by a dedicated 55M metric cube dam, operating six pack houses and providing employment in the adjacent communities to 2,600 people. “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 7-8 million boxes by the end of 2016,” says Sevki Isin, Group Development Director, Rift Valley Corporation.
Ken Docherty, currently in charge of the sales office of Matanuska, will be heading a new Dole office in Dubai. This office will also market the full range of Dole South 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 expertize and know-how all along the supply chain will create a strong value proposition," says Johan Linden, president of Dole Fresh Fruit Europe.
About Dole Fresh Fruit Europe: Dole Europe is the European division of Dole Foods, one of the world’s largest suppliers of fresh fruit and vegetables. Dole Europe imports a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables from both Dole Food Company’s own farms and independent growers from all over the world. Dole Europe also provides retailers with innovative solutions for services and products. Its network stretches from Scandinavia to South Africa, from Italy to Russia and the Middle East. More information at www.dole.eu.
About Matanuska and Rift Valley Corporation: Matanuska is owned by Rift Valley Corporation operating in South and East Africa with agricultural interests and providing employment to 12,000 people. Matanuska has under cultivation 1,400 hectares of bananas from a total land holding of 16,000 hectares in the area.
