Zurich-based fruit trading company Bananen+Frucht AG has recently started using compostable labels for its entire range of Ecuadorian bananas. "Conventional stickers on bananas usually end up in the compost and ultimately end up in the soil as environmentally harmful microplastics. We want to counteract this with compostable, sustainable stickers that no longer have to be removed from the bananas. We chose the compostable stickers because we feel it's a step in the right direction," says Thomas Hug, managing director of Bananen+Frucht AG, based in Zurich's Engrosmarkt.
Global Fresh Trading, a firm partner and supplier when it comes to bananas, from which all Ecuadorian bananas are sourced, had the solution ready thanks to the compostable labels. "So from now on, our entire range of bananas, organic Max Havelaar goods as well as conventional, which we purchase from our partner, is labeled with compostable stickers," Hug continues.
With this forward-looking step, Bananen+Frucht is one of the few companies that can offer bananas with compostable stickers. If its initial experience with compostable stickers is good, the Zurich-based company will be eager to apply these to other fruits as well, together with partners and suppliers.
'Compostable packaging is the future'
In addition to sustainability, the labels offer other additional benefits to the Zurich company's customers. "With this label, you have an interesting USP or unique selling point in which you are one step ahead of the competition. Customers also appreciate the fact that the tedious removal of labels is now a thing of the past. What also speaks particularly in favor of these labels is that the changeover only demands minor additional costs per carton, which our company will bear. It was particularly important to us that the quality of the stickers remains constant even after delivery of the ripe bananas, which is the case." The reactions already received from retailers and wholesalers have been consistently positive.
Cooperation partner Global Fresh Trading is also pleased with the market launch of the labels in Switzerland. "With Max Havelaar bananas, organic and sustainability have always gone hand in hand, and sustainable packaging is now rapidly gaining importance in the conventional sector as well. This will be further boosted by the new legislation. From 2023 onward, only biodegradable packaging may be used for certain products in Switzerland as well. Compostable packaging is the future, and we fruit retailers will have to take this development into account sooner or later."
High demand for entry-level price items
Bananen+Frucht AG has been dedicated to the import and distribution of tropical fruits since 1939. Nowadays, the banana is considered the favorite fruit of the Swiss population, almost becoming a staple food. "We clearly experienced the high status of the banana during the lockdown. The demand for bananas remained stable despite high freight and procurement costs. Inflation is linear with respect to the various banana segments. If the demand for organic is there, we are confident that we could increase the volumes of organic bananas."
Global Fresh Trading management adds: "With the increase in inflation and high cost of electricity, consumers will in all likelihood increasingly turn to staple foods i.e. entry-level price items. In this case, organic, Fairtrade and Demeter bananas as well as exotic fruits would lose market share in favor of conventional bananas. However, this will not affect the move towards compostable packaging, as it does not concern a voluntary decision by the respective retailer, but a necessary step."
The vibrant Engrosmarkt in Zurich Altstetten has been home to BaFru's headquarters for many years. In addition to bananas, the company also deals with the distribution of tropical fruits and exotics.
Global Fresh Trading procures its bananas from the Palmar Corporation, a cooperative with over 3,000 employees and a total of 147 producers. The cooperative focuses on social projects and sustainable initiatives to always meet today's social demands.
Images: Corporación Palmar Ec
For more information:
Carmen Hug
Bananen+Frucht AG
Engrosmarkt Zürich
+41 44 271 76 76
info@bafruag.ch
www.bafruag.ch