Port Manatee in Florida has signed an agreement to keep fruit from Fresh Del Monte (NYSE: FDP) arriving at the port for at least another 20 years. 

The company has imported at the Gulf port since 1989, and has now signed an extension through August 30, 2021, with options for three additional extensions of five years each.

If all options are exercised, Del Monte will be doing business at Port Manatee until at least 2036.

“[The] Extension of Port Manatee’s long-term partnership with Del Monte demonstrates the mutual commitment on the part of our port and a most-valued tenant,” said Manatee County Port Authority chairwoman Betsy Benac.

"We look forward to sharing success with Del Monte for decades to come," added the port's executive director Carlos Buqueras.

Del Monte is one of North America's largest marketers and distributors of fresh produce, and is also the world's leading pineapple marketer.

The company deploys refrigerated vessels to weekly import bananas and pineapples from Central America via containers and pallets.

Export cargo includes linerboard that is used for packaging, as well as various third-party containers and project cargos.

"We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Port Manatee,” said Del Monte's Port Manatee-based port manager Brian Giuliani.

"The cooperation with Port Manatee is exceptional and has been vital to the growth of our business at Port Manatee."

Since 1989, Del Monte has moved 8.7 million short tons of cargo through Port Manatee, while Del Monte’s Southeast distribution center at Port Manatee has flourished to become the company’s second-largest U.S. facility.

www.freshfruitportal.com