Why our bananas come from Peru (and sometimes the Canary Islands)
At UglyFruits, we strive to deliver 100% organic, ultra-fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly from the Seeland region. But there's one exception that often intrigues people: our bananas. Why do they come from Peru (and sometimes elsewhere)?
Because there are no local bananas in Switzerland
Let’s start with the obvious: it’s impossible to grow bananas in Switzerland. Wrong climate, wrong latitude, wrong conditions. So if you want to enjoy an organic banana for breakfast, you have to get it from somewhere else.
Why Peru, then?
Peru is now one of the world leaders in organic and fair trade banana production. This choice isn’t random:
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The climate of the northern coast (especially Piura) is ideal for crops without chemical treatments,
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Producers are often organized into farming cooperatives, which guarantees fair compensation,
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The country has developed a Bio Suisse certified supply chain that meets demanding quality and sustainability standards.
And sometimes… bananas from the Canary Islands
At UglyFruits, we ask ourselves the question for every imported product: where to source it from, and why? For bananas, whenever possible, we also choose the Canary Islands:
- a source closer to Switzerland,
- a tradition of organic and fair trade banana cultivation,
- and recognized taste quality (smaller, sweeter, with a very distinctive flavor).
Depending on the season, availability, and organic certification, we alternate between Peru (exceptionally Colombia) and the Canary Islands, always with the idea of finding the best balance between taste, sustainability, and responsibility.
Why UglyFruits continues to offer them
Because, let’s be honest: bananas are among Switzerland’s favorite fruits (nearly 10 kg consumed per person each year! – source: FSO 2022). Our mission isn’t to deprive our customers of this pleasure, but to offer the most responsible version possible: organic, fair trade, and from a supply chain that directly supports producers.
Consistency with our approach
Alongside our 100% local baskets from Seeland, bananas are an exception. But an intentional exception:
- Organic and pesticide-free,
- Fair trade,
- Zero waste (even slightly spotted ones end up in baskets).
In short: at UglyFruits, we prefer a banana that’s a bit less “perfect” but fairer for those who grow it, and better for you.
