Montague, one of Australia’s largest fruit growers, has signed an initial two-year lease agreement with Mareeba-based Arcella Bananas Company. The agreement will see Arcella use the Montague produce and packing facility in Brisbane to ripen their bananas.
Montague opened their state-of-the-art produce facility at the Brisbane Markets in Rocklea, Queensland in April 2019. The 5,578m2 purpose-built facility is a fully automated, temperature-controlled environment, complete with a cold storage space monitored 24/7, and ripening rooms equipped with the latest European tarpless technology. The specialised equipment introduced in the facility ensures the reduction of ethylene and airborne pathogens.
Arcella Bananas is a family-owned and operated business, founded in 1974 by Pat Arcella. Determined to deliver fresh, tasty bananas to Australians, Arcella Bananas has now grown to consist of three banana plantations located in Mareeba, Innisfail and Upper Daradgee, along with an extended network of growers in Queensland. Arcella Bananas were impressed by the tarpless technology in ripening rooms, which offers control over the banana ripening process to produce fruit that looks and tastes better, and stays fresh for longer.
“We are delighted to team-up with Montague to utilise their world-class facilities, and access this new technology to ripen our Arcella Bananas. We think consumers will be very pleased by the outstanding quality and flavour of the fruit ripened in Rocklea,” said Dom Arcella of Arcella Bananas.
Arcella Bananas are known for their Tropicana brand of bananas. They are a key supplier to Coles, Aldi and premium Independent stores in Sydney, Melbourne, and now Brisbane.
“Supporting local growers and businesses like Arcella Bananas is of great importance to us here at Montague,” said Hamish Montague, General Manager of Montague Queensland. “We will continue to innovate in fresh produce industries, delivering excellent produce for our consumers while striving to be energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly,” he concluded.