WILMINGTON, DE - The Port of Wilmington won't be handing over its title of “Top Banana” anytime soon, with news breaking Monday afternoon that The Diamond State Port Corporation and Chiquita have reached a new leasing agreement which will allow Chiquita to continue to use the Port as its mid-Atlantic distribution hub for at least the next 5 years.

“The Port of Wilmington is an important destination for Chiquita and our customers,” said Mario Pacheco, Chiquita’s Senior Vice President of Global Logistics. “We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that will enable us to continue to call Wilmington home for many years to come. Wilmington is a great partner for Chiquita and we look forward to growing our business together in the years ahead.”

Since first consolidating its mid-Atlantic supply chain operation at the Port of Wilmington in 1988, the Port has seen more of the banana trade pass through its docks than any other port in North America. According to a press release, Chiquita leases 28.7 acres at the Port for its shipping operations. Its vessels make roughly 52 port calls every year as part of Chiquita’s immense banana, pineapple, and tropical produce shipping operations.

“We are extremely pleased that Chiquita has decided to sign a new lease with the port and continue our long and “fruitful” relationship,” said Gene Bailey, Executive Director of the DSPC. “Chiquita is a most important customer and responsible for hundreds of jobs and the resultant and significant economic impact to our Port, state and region. We are grateful to the Governor and the General Assembly for the support which has allowed us to make those capital equipment acquisitions and infrastructure improvements needed to retain Chiquita’s business despite a very competitive environment.”

According to a press release, the new leasing agreement includes two 5-year renewal options which could extend Chiquita’s lease at the Port of Wilmington to as far into the future as 2029.

Chiquita