Florida-based Turbana has added a string of new items to its tropical import deal, including coconuts and sour oranges, with plans to expand the program's geographical sales scope within the United States.

The addition of 'Groovy' coconuts, aji Cachucha (Cachuca peppers), avocados, ginger, Habanero peppers, malanga amarilla and sour oranges takes the total items under the tropicals program to 19.

In a release, the company highlighted the deal helped retailers attract 'ethnic' consumers, who are the fastest growing segment in the U.S. Turbana mentioned this demographic shopped two to three times per week and spent more dollars per visit than the average consumer.

"Turbana's Tropicals program adds significant value to retailers as it provides them the opportunity to reach out to a very specific and substantial consumer market, while introducing mainstream consumers to ethnic tropicals," said Turbana Tropicals vice president Ricardo Echeverri.

Two C&S Wholesale Grocers representatives applauded the move.

"This expansion will help grow our Tropicals program as a category and this growth in sales volume will add to our produce department’s overall annual sales revenue," said C&S national produce buyer Juan Monsalve.

"I have been impressed with both the wide variety of items and the high quality of the products we have been receiving," added C&S fresh produce buyer Paul Bromwich.

Turbana mentioned the full tropicals line was currently offered throughout the U.S. Northeast at retailers such as Wakefern and SuperValu, and due to increasing demand it would soon extend to the South, Midwest and West Coast regions.

As part of the program, Turbana's tropicals program gives retailers information such as segments of ethnic consumers who live within a store's market area, the tropicals preferred by these consumers, how demand for tropical items fluctuates during different holidays and projected growth rates.

"The program also provides advice on how to select, store and display tropicals throughout the year. Leveraging new technologies, Turbana has also created a mobile application that provides this information in an easy and convenient way: on their smart phones," the release said.

"The full program enables retailers to customize their shipments in a way that caters to their specific needs. Utilizing Turbana’s extensive knowledge of tropical produce and consumer preferences, retailers are able to gain access to this growing market."

The company also said it brought flexibility to customers through customized loads, allowing selections from the category along with bananas, plantains and pineapples to be shipped together.

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