Chiquita and Daikin Reefer: A Flourishing Partnership

Fort Lauderdale, FL – March 4, 2024 - The enduring partnership between Daikin Reefer and Chiquita has been a cornerstone of innovation and reliability in the global shipping industry. Originating in 2018 with Chiquita's initial investment in Daikin's ZeSTIA units, the collaboration has continually evolved to meet the demanding needs of perishable cargo transportation.

Chiquita, a prominent grower and distributor of bananas, operates a substantial shipping fleet through the esteemed ocean carrier, Great White Fleet. With banana cultivation hubs throughout Latin America, Chiquita's exports predominantly target the markets of North America.

Bananas, ranked as the world's fourth most crucial food crop, are highly susceptible to changes in their environment and require meticulous cold supply chain conditions during transportation. Recognizing this, Chiquita has progressively expanded its fleet of Daikin Reefer units. Presently, about half of ZeSTIA units in Great White Fleet’s equipment are supported with Daikin CA (controlled atmosphere) technology.

Daikin's ZeSTIA container refrigeration units, a highlight of the market-leading LXE series, have garnered acclaim for their unmatched reliability and performance. These units boast an array of features and benefits, including superior energy efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions, and the preservation of cargo freshness and quality during transit. Specifically engineered to maintain precise cooling performance and stable temperatures, Daikin's technology is instrumental in safeguarding Chiquita's banana exports from Latin America to various global destinations.

Stefano Di Paolo, President of Great White Fleet, expressed satisfaction with the reliability and performance of Daikin's ZeSTIA units. "Daikin's CA technology provides precise temperature control crucial for maintaining the freshness of our valuable produce," remarked Di Paolo. "We appreciate the excellent support from the Daikin team, and our partnership continues to thrive."

The enduring collaboration between Chiquita and Daikin Reefer exemplifies a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the global logistics industry.

For more information, contact Victoria Jordan, vjordan@coynepr.com. 

Chiquita Brands International

Chiquita is a leading global produce company that is committed to providing both consumers and customers across nearly 70 countries with the highest quality of fruit and service, making Chiquita the banana of choice. For more than 150 years, Chiquita has been proudly producing great-tasting, superior quality bananas. The brand creates a positive impact by implementing the principles of sustainability throughout all of its business practices under the “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative. Chiquita’s iconic Blue Sticker has been the seal of approval for high-quality fruit, and a celebration of fun, but it also represents an unwavering commitment to sustainable farming, biodiversity and giving back to the communities in which the banana plantations operate. Great-tasting and convenient Chiquita bananas are fat-free, and provide a source of potassium, fiber and vitamin B6. To learn more, visit www.chiquita.com.