Businesses see opportunity in Chiquita's return [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Monday, 05.26.14
Businesses see opportunity in Chiquita's return
By MARIA CLARK
New Orleans CityBusiness

NEW ORLEANS -- A hundred years ago, New Orleans was the largest importer of bananas in the United States. The presence of Chiquita's predecessor, United Brands, allowed several local institutions — such as Ochsner Health System, Louisiana State University and Tulane University — to extend their international reach to Central and South America.

United Brands operated in New Orleans for nearly seven decades before leaving for Gulfport, Mississippi, in the 1970s. Its departure coincided with rapid growth in competing markets, such as Houston and Miami, and the erosion of New Orleans' relationships with Latin America.

Business leaders predict that Chiquita's return, which company representatives and Louisiana officials announced recently, could help rebuild many of those ties.

Pan-American Life Insurance Group's origins are directly tied to the growth of the banana industry. New Orleans native Crawford Ellis founded the company in 1911 to provide personal and business insurance to people and businesses in Central and South America. Chiquita is still one of its regional accounts, so its return to New Orleans is good news for the company, Pan-American President, CEO and Chairman José Suquet said.

"I believe (Chiquita's announcement) is as good an opportunity as we have seen in the last 40 years to help re-establish our presence in Central America," Suquet said. "Both Houston and Miami are more expensive and busier markets. We can provide an attractive alternative compared to them."

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/26//v-fullstory/4126998/businesses-see-opportunity-in.html#storylink=cpy