Kapi Kapi Growers adds organic bananas to its offerings

For more than 30 years, Kapi Kapi Growers has been growing tropical fruit, with its products available in over 25 countries worldwide. Known in the industry as a leading grower-shipper of sustainably grown pineapples, bananas and plantains, the Miami Beach, Florida-based company recently introduced organic bananas to its product portfolio.

“Our retail customers have expressed consistent interest in organic bananas since we first introduced Kapi-branded bananas to the market,” said Sofia Acon, president of Kapi Kapi Growers. “This strategic decision positions our company for long-term growth as we work towards our goal of being a sustainable leader in the tropical fruit distribution space.” The organic bananas are grown in Costa Rica and distributed to customers in North America, Europe, and Asia.

“This launch is an opportunity to bring high-quality, eco-friendly products consumers can trust, aligning with their values and building loyalty,” Acon said. “For the company, it strengthens our brand, grows our reputation as a sustainable leader and drives long-term growth.”

Kapi Kapi Growers made the decision after seeing the interest that organic bananas have generated over the last few years. In fact, organic banana sales have grown from 8% of total sales to 12% over the last several years, according to the Organic Trade Association.

“We see organic bananas continuing to grow; this a long-term trend in the industry and critical that we serve the needs of our customers,” Acon said. “Banana sales in total have grown 3-4% over the last couple of years. Given the growth we have seen, it was an important strategic move for us to be able to offer both organic and conventional programs to our customers.”

Sofia Acon, president of Kapi Kapi Growers, says the company added organic bananas as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The organic bananas are usually banded for quick consumer identification, although some retailers use alternative packing methods. “To support this approach, we are collaborating with key retailers to develop targeted campaigns that enhance product visibility and consumer awareness,” Acon said. The addition of organic bananas to the portfolio has been in development for a few years, and the company made sure that it entered the segment in the best way possible.

“We took our time to curate the right partners to ensure that we would be able to deliver our high standards of quality and reliability,” Acon said. “We certainly could have done this sooner but felt strongly that we needed to have high confidence in our execution.”

Starting in 2024, the organics certification requirements encompass more entities within the organic supply chain, so adding the segment was a bit more difficult than had it been done a year earlier.

“We’re proud to have achieved certification during this period, ensuring traceability and consistent compliance,” Acon said. “Our current certification by QIA, along with third-party certifications for every step of our supply chain, reflects our commitment to meeting these rigorous standards.”

Looking ahead, the company is excited to expand the availability of its organic bananas to new regions beyond the US, Canada and Europe. “We are exploring partnerships with local distributors and retailers to ensure a seamless supply chain and maintain the same high standards of quality and traceability,” Acon said. “The future holds strategic growth into new regions, including new product launches and adapting to market needs while upholding our commitment to sustainability practices.”

Speaking of new product launches, with the successful introduction of organic bananas, Kapi Kapi Growers is turning its attention toward adding organic pineapples to the portfolio soon.

“By aligning the strategic priorities of both our business and our partners, we can continue delivering valuable opportunities to drive growth and successful outcomes,” Acon said.