New €25m Fyffes banana plant opens in Balbriggan

A new banana ripening and distribution centre, owned and operated by Irish banana distributors, Fyffes has opened in Balbriggan, North County Dublin.

Representing a €25 million investment from the company, the new centre is located in the M1 Business Park at Courtlough, immediately south of Balbriggan.

When operating at full capacity the centre will have an output of over seven million bananas per week – approximating to over 60,000 tonnes annually – all for supply to Irish retailers, wholesalers and food providers, north and south.

Adjacent to the M1 motorway with access to the national motorway network, the new facility was commissioned in November 2019.

Constructed on a 10-acre site, it comprises the 8,500 sq. metres ripening and distribution centre and an adjacent 1,750 sq. metres two-storey office and administration block, with requisite loading bays, truck and customer parking and ancillary services areas.

Replacing the company’s former facility in Swords, it has the capacity to accommodate a staff of 120 persons at peak.

Serviced directly from Cork Port – through which most of Fyffes produce arrives directly into Ireland from Central and South America – the new facility will be an essential link in the Fyffes distribution chain, its primary function being to ensure that bananas are delivered to consumers at the “perfect point of freshness and quality,” the company says.

“Constructed in line with new building regulations, the new plant is likely to be regarded as one of the most sustainable buildings of its kind in Ireland,” a statement released by the company said.

“With the potential to use some 60% less energy than the building it replaces, some of its energy will be supplied by roof-mounted photovoltaic panels whilst both the office heating and cooling systems will be fed via a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP). Rainwater harvesting systems have been installed to help conserve and reduce water consumption.”

Speaking to guests and officials at an event held to mark the opening of the new centre, Fyffes Chief Executive Officer, Helge Sparsoe said: “The new development will have a very positive impact on Fyffes by delivering even greater productivity and strengthening its ability to service the needs of our customers”.

Describing the new plant as “a commitment to securing Fyffes future operations in Ireland,” Sparsoe said it will benefit the economy in North County Dublin through employment and the number of jobs it will sustain.