From Ecuador to China: How MSC Ensures Fresh Banana Imports with Excellence

Bananas are the most consumed fruit globally, with over 100 billion enjoyed each year. Valued for their nutritional benefits, bananas are primarily grown in warm climates, with Ecuador being the largest exporter, which is known for its sweet and flavourful produce. As the world’s most traded fruit and a main fruit import of large economies such as China, efficient transportation of fresh bananas is crucial due to their high demand and fragility.

This article examines how a major fresh fruits and vegetables player in China, has scaled its international business by partnering with a reliable container shipping company for their fresh banana imports from Ecuador.

How Goodfarmer Navigate Supply Chain Hurdles and Scale Their Business

Goodfarmer Foods (Goodfarmer) is a prominent Chinese fruit and vegetable food provider specializing in the import, export, and distribution of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and beverage. Established in 2002, Goodfarmer has expanded to over 30 distribution centers across China, with annual sales of around USD 14 million. The company aims to build global partnerships and deliver high-quality, healthy foods to Chinese consumers.

Challenges

Goodfarmer aims to import fresh bananas from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to various locations in China, including Shanghai, Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin Xingang. However, global supply chain issues pose several challenges for their cross-continental banana transportation, where speed, flexibility, and advanced temperature control technology are vital:
• Geopolitical Issues: Resulting increased port congestion and extended transit times have led to delays and inventory pressures.
• Temperature Control: Bananas are delicate and require rigorous cold chain logistics. Even minor temperature deviations can compromise their quality, affecting the freshness of Goodfarmer’s banana imports.

A Holistic MSC Solution and Strong Partnership

Goodfarmer has partnered with MSC since 2014 to overcome these challenges and achieve their business goals. MSC has developed a comprehensive, multi-pronged solution:
• Weekly Connection Plans: MSC optimizes connection plans with weekly updates based on Goodfarmer's forecasts, reducing transit times, and ensuring smooth transitions at ports to maintain the quality and freshness of the bananas.
• High Quality Reefers: MSC Cold Chain utilizes advanced technology and precise temperature control in its reefers to preserve the quality of the bananas throughout the journey.
• Equipment Availability: Based on Goodfarmer’s forecasts, MSC ensures the availability of reefers, protecting the bananas at the right temperature and atmosphere.
• Global Team of Reefer Specialists: From Ecuador to China, MSC provides expert reefer support and strong service offering to ensure each fresh banana shipment is handled with the highest level of care and precision.
• Marine Cargo Insurance: Backed by trusted partners, MSC’s marine cargo insurance offers peace of mind by ensuring the safety of fragile items like fresh bananas.

Meet MSC’s Experts and Gain Exclusive Insights at AFL 2024

By partnering with a trusted and reliable container shipping company, Goodfarmer has successfully expanded their international business by smoothly importing highly sought-after Ecuadorian bananas into the Chinese market.

Interested in discovering how the world’s largest container shipping company can support the growth of your fresh fruit and vegetables business?

MSC will be at Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) 2024 from 4-6 September, at Hall 3, Stand 3E02 of AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. In addition to discussing your business needs, MSC will feature two expert sessions offering exclusive insights into fresh fruit trades to and from China.