Unibán

What Unibán does

Unibán (C.I. Unibán S.A.) is a privately held Colombian international trading company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Medellín, operating as the country's largest banana and plantain exporter with a majority share of Colombian banana exports and 4% of global banana consumption. The company is vertically integrated across the full agricultural value chain: 207 banana farms (19,608.74 hectares) and 2,155 plantain farms (8,687 hectares) feed into proprietary cold chain and logistics infrastructure, including a 90 m² refrigeration platform near Puerto Antioquia, six DIAN/ICA/INVIMA-approved Zona Única de Inspección (ZUI) zones with IOT-enabled customs release, box manufacturing, plastics production (Polyban), shipyards, and warehousing operations.

Unibán generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) international B2B export of fresh bananas and plantains under long-term negotiated contracts to supermarket chains, wholesale distributors, and food service companies in Europe (65% of Colombian banana exports), North America, and Latin America; (2) consumer packaged goods under the Turbana sub-brand (plantain, green banana, and yuca chips) sold across Colombia, the US, Mexico, Panama, and Europe; and (3) third-party logistics services (cargo handling, refrigerated storage, customs inspection) serving 100+ import/export clients via the Unibán Servicios Logísticos division. The Turbana yuca chip line won the SofI Award 2022 from the Specialty Food Association.

Distribution runs through a dedicated export sales force and the company's European commercial arm, TMA (Turbana Marketing Americas). The company maintains a deep certification stack — Fairtrade (since 2008), GlobalGAP, IFS Food, HACCP, RSPO, SMETA, organic, Non-GMO — and an extensive ecosystem of producer, union, and institutional partnerships. Fundación Unibán contributes over $4 million USD annually to community and environmental programs reaching 100,000+ beneficiaries, while a 30+ year collective bargaining agreement with Sitrainagro (extended through 2027) and partnerships with IDH, GIZ, Augura, ASBAMA, and CLAC FairTrade anchor its social license to operate in Urabá and Magdalena.

Name

Unibán

Legal name

C.I. Unibán S.A.

Website

https://uniban.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Unibán is Colombia's largest banana and plantain exporter, operating a vertically integrated agribusiness spanning 207 banana farms, proprietary cold-chain and port logistics near Puerto Antioquia, branded Turbana snacks in five countries, and Fairtrade-certified B2B supply to European and North American supermarket chains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce Exports

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers (42459)

SIC

Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Import / Export Produce Wholesale (Cross-Border Trading) (AFAIACAH)

Keywords

• Banana and plantain exports
• Fresh fruit production
• Port logistics services
• Cold chain management
• Tropical snack products

Headquarters

HQ city

Medellín

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Banana and Plantain Export: International sale and export of fresh bananas and plantains from Colombia. Unibán is the largest banana exporter in Colombia, accounting for the majority of the country's banana exports, shipping to markets in North America, Europe, and Latin America. Revenue is generated through direct B2B contracts with supermarket chains, importers, and distributors.
2. Turbana Snacks: Value-added consumer snacks (plantain chips, green banana chips, yuca chips) sold under the Turbana brand in Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Panama, and Europe. Products are distributed through retail and food service channels.
3. Logistics Services: Port services, cargo handling, transshipment, storage, refrigerated services, and customs inspection services offered through the Unibán Servicios Logísticos division to import and export companies using the Urabá port infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Unibán is Colombia's largest banana and plantain exporter, producing and shipping fresh bananas from 207 farms covering 19,608.74 hectares and plantains from 2,155 farms covering 8,687 hectares to international supermarket chains across North America, Europe, and Latin America. The company also manufactures and sells Turbana-branded plantain, banana, and yuca chips under its own consumer brand across Colombia, the US, Mexico, Panama, and Europe. In addition, Unibán operates port logistics services in the Urabá region through its own infrastructure including cold chain storage, customs inspection zones, and refrigerated cargo handling.

Product overview

Unibán is Colombia's leading international banana and plantain trading company, operating as an integrated agribusiness with multiple business units. The core offering consists of fresh fruit exports (banana and plantain) under the main brand, complemented by the Turbana Chips snack sub-brand that adds value to fruit production. Logistics services provide port operations, warehousing, and refrigeration capabilities. Supporting operations include box production, plastic production (Polyban), plant health services, shipyard services, and commercial warehousing. The company also maintains agricultural production units (Sara palma, Finca Génesis), field services (Tropy Centro), market development (TMA), North American distribution (Fyffes Norte América), and corporate social responsibility through Unibán Fundación. The product portfolio spans the entire value chain from agricultural production to international distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Turbana: Snack brand featuring banana, plantain, and cassava chips; products include gluten-free snacks made from Colombian fruit
• Turbana Foods

Products and services

• Fruta fresca (Fresh Bananas and Plantains) Fresh banana (Cavendish variety) from 207 farms covering 19,608.74 hectares and plantain (Hartón and Popocho varieties) from 2,155 farms covering 8,687 hectares. Approximately 4% of global banana consumption originates from Unibán. Sold B2B to international supermarket chains, importers, and distributors in North America, Europe, and Latin America under long-term supply contracts.
• Turbana Snacks Consumer snack brand producing plantain, green banana, and yuca chips made from fruit sourced from over 2,200 small producers. Gluten-free snacks with approximately 30% less fat absorption compared to potato chips. Winner of the Sofi Award 2022 in the Pretzels, Rice Cakes & Salty Snacks category. Distributed in grocery retail chains across Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Panama, and select European markets.
• Servicios Logísticos (Logistics Services) Comprehensive logistics services including port operations, cargo handling, refrigeration, dry cargo services, unique inspection zone (ZUI) with IoT connectivity, and warehousing. Services cover both import and export operations with specialized perishable cargo handling. Sold to 100+ import/export companies through a service quotation system, with rates quoted upon request and annual tariff adjustments.
• Almacenes comerciales (Commercial Warehousing) Commercial storage and warehousing services for products in the supply chain, supporting import and export operations through Unibán's logistics infrastructure in the Urabá region.
• Producción de cajas (Box Manufacturing) Cardboard box manufacturing for the horticultural market needs. Over 40 years of experience supplying boxes for banana and plantain exports, with suppliers ensuring sustainability of raw materials from origin to final product.
• Producción de plásticos (Polyban Plastic Production) Plastic production through subsidiary Polyban, supporting agricultural and packaging operations for banana and plantain production and export.
• Sanidad vegetal (Plant Health Services) Plant health services including disease prevention, quality inspection, and crop management for banana and plantain production, supporting agricultural producers.
• Astilleros (Shipyard Services) Shipyard services for vessel maintenance and repair operations supporting the logistics and port infrastructure in the Urabá region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4% of all bananas consumed worldwide are from Unibán
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FairtradecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since 2008, Unibán has partnered with Fairtrade under the leadership of Fundación Unibán to promote sustainable development in banana-producing regions, benefiting 7,000+ families. The partnership focuses on the Fairtrade premium being invested in community infrastructure, education, and environmental projects. In 17 years, significant investment has been made through Fairtrade premiums for social programs.
• Sainsbury'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSainsbury's, the second-largest UK supermarket chain, is one of Unibán's strategic customers, purchasing the largest share of Fairtrade bananas produced in Urabá and Santa Marta. Sainsbury's representatives conduct regular facility visits to inspect production, sustainability programs, and Fairtrade premium investments. The partnership is coordinated through Fyffes International.
• Fyffes International / Fyffes Norte AméricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFyffes is a sister company and part of the broader commercial network through which Unibán distributes produce to international markets. Fyffes Norte América operates as a related commercial entity. Joint visits with Sainsbury's representatives demonstrate the close operational relationship.
• IDH (Iniciativa de Comercio Sostenible)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDH co-organized the Living Wage Summit 2024 in Amsterdam where Unibán participated. IDH promotes sustainable trade in global production chains, collaborating with companies, financiers, governments, and civil society to improve living and working conditions.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ is a German international cooperation agency that co-organized the Living Wage Summit 2024 in Amsterdam alongside IDH and the UN Global Compact, where Unibán's living wage and income practices were presented.
• Augura (Asociación de Bananeros de Colombia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAugura is the Colombian Banana Growers Association with which Unibán has built a long-standing articulation for living wage initiatives, banana worker training, and sector-wide sustainability improvements. Unibán participates in Augura-organized events including the 4th Fairtrade Banana Forum.
• ASBAMA (Asociación de Productores de Banano del Magdalena y La Guajira)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASBAMA represents banana producers in the Magdalena and La Guajira departments. Through cooperation with ASBAMA, the living wage gap for banana workers in Magdalena was reduced from 27.7% in 2022 to 9.1% in 2023, facilitated by European partner funding for food bonuses.
• Sitrainagro (Sindicato de Trabajadores Bananeros)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe banana workers' union with which Unibán has maintained collective bargaining agreements for over 30 years. The most recent agreement, running through 2027, includes a 14% salary increase, supporting Unibán's living wage commitment.
• Previsora Seguros S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company partnered with Unibán to facilitate agricultural insurance access for small producers, protecting crops against climatic events through the Colombian government's agricultural insurance program.
• Willis Towers WatsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal risk advisory and brokerage firm supporting Unibán's agricultural insurance program for small banana and plantain producers, in collaboration with Previsora Seguros and Finagro.
• FinagrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian agricultural development bank whose agricultural insurance program provides up to 95% subsidies on insurance policy premiums for small producers, facilitated through Unibán's partnership program.
• Universidad del MagdalenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university hosting working meetings on knowledge transfer and human talent development for the banana sector, involving Unibán Fundación and regional banana committees (CUEE Sierra Nevada, CUEES Urabá).
• Universidad EAFITminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAFIT University hosts an annual Talent Fair where Unibán recruits young professionals. The 2024 edition was attended by over 150 students and graduates from disciplines including Business Administration, Communication, Agronomy, Product Design, Biology, and Psychology.
• CLAC FairTrademajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAC FairTrade (Coordinadora Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Pequeños Productores de Comercio Justo) is part of the inter-institutional alliance for a sustainable Banana Zone, working with Unibán Fundación and banana cooperatives to improve educational infrastructure and promote sustainability in Magdalena department.
• Puerto AntioquiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Antioquia is the multi-purpose terminal port project in Urabá that Unibán has supported through missions, visits, and strategic positioning. The port is expected to transform Colombia's international trade competitiveness. Unibán's cold storage facility is strategically located near Puerto Antioquia.
• ProColombiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColombia's export promotion agency at whose Fruit Attraction stand Unibán exhibited to promote Colombian agricultural diversity and connect with international buyers.
• SENAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia's national vocational training institute collaborating with Unibán Fundación and the banana industry to train human resources for the banana sector, providing technical and technological education programs.
• AnaldexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian exporters' association that organized the Urabá Un Mar de Oportunidades committee missions, bringing 30 companies to visit Unibán's operations and Puerto Antioquia. Unibán serves as the host company for these trade missions.
• ANDI (Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerColombia's main business association, whose Urabá Un Mar de Oportunidades committee Unibán participates in. ANDI also organized the 9th Colombian Business Congress where Unibán made a notable intervention.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dole plc: Global fresh produce leader with significant banana and tropical fruit operations. Comparable as a large-scale fresh produce exporter with diversified value-added products, certifications, and B2B retailer relationships.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Vertically integrated producer, transporter, and distributor of fresh produce including bananas and pineapples. Directly comparable business model spanning farming, packaging, and global distribution to retailers and food service.
• Chiquita Brands International: One of the global 'big four' banana marketers and a major banana producer/exporter in Latin America. Directly comparable in product category, international B2B customer base, and vertically-integrated production and shipping model.

Direct peers

• Banacol: One of the largest Colombian banana and plantain exporters, directly competing with Unibán for export volumes from Urabá and other Colombian growing regions. Operates a comparable vertically-integrated model spanning production, packaging, and international distribution.
• Grupo Agroindustrial Nobis: Latin American agribusiness group with banana and tropical fruit operations serving international markets. Comparable in product category, growing region footprint, and B2B export orientation.
• Banafrut: Colombian banana producer and exporter, operating in similar growing regions (Urabá) with a comparable B2B export model and certification stack targeting European and North American supermarket chains.
• Fyffes: Sister company of Unibán (under shared ownership) and a global banana, pineapple, and melon distributor. Fyffes Norte América is explicitly part of Unibán's distribution network, making it the closest operational peer for international produce distribution.
• Tropical Fruits (Tecbaco): Colombian exporter specializing in bananas and exotic tropical fruits (including plantain). Directly comparable as a Colombian produce exporter focused on international markets and small-producer aggregation.

Emerging players

• Inka Crops: Peruvian agro-exporter with growing banana and tropical fruit (mango, avocado, ginger) operations. Comparable as a Latin American producer-exporter with value-added focus and growing B2B presence in Europe and North America.

Regional players

• Asofruit / Asociación de Productores: Colombian and regional Latin American small-producer banana export associations and cooperatives that compete for similar export channels and certifications (Fairtrade, GlobalGAP). Comparable in product and certification focus though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@unibanoficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnibanOficial
• LinkedInco.linkedin.com/company/c-i-uniban-s-a
• Instagraminstagram.com/unibanoficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unibán