Dole Fresh Fruit Europe has entered a long-term partnership with Mozambique-based Matanuska Africa Limited.

The deal means Dole will assume all sales operations and be the sole distributor for Matanuska's bananas in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, while also providing logistical assistance and technical support in farming operations.

Matanuska, which is a subsidiary of the Rift Valley Corporation, currently grows the fruit on 1,400 hectares of land in northern Mozambique, 100km (62mi) from the port of Nacala.

The company's plantations are irrigated from a dam of 55 million cubic meters, while the fruit is processed in six packhouses. In a release, Dole said the operation provided employment for 2,600 people in adjacent communities.

"The tie in with Dole Fresh Fruit Europe will allow Matanuska to develop a better product as well as provide Matanuska access to industry expertise to increase its banana production to 7-8 million boxes by the end of 2016," Rift Valley group development director Sevki Isin said.

Ken Docherty, who is currently in charge of the Matanuska sales office, will be heading a new Dole office in Dubai that will also market a full range of Southern Hemisphere products in the region.

"We are delighted with the partnership with Matanuska which will deliver better and closer service to our Middle East customer base. Our expertize and know-how all along the supply chain will create a strong value proposition," said Dole Fresh Fruit Europe president Johan Linden.

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