Fyffes and Miles Import SA have announced a landmark three-year strategic partnership that designates Miles Import as the sole distributor for Fyffes in France, effective January 1, 2027.

For industry observers, this alliance represents a calculated, high-impact move designed to deepen Fyffes’ footprint and commercial capabilities in one of Europe’s key fresh produce markets.

Strengthening market presence

At its core, the partnership bridges two distinct operational powerhouses:

1. Fyffes’ global reach: brings more than a century of expertise in fresh produce, alongside robust international sourcing capabilities, production experience, and a comprehensive global supply network.
2. Miles Import’s local mastery: provides deep-rooted knowledge of the French market, established customer relationships, and proven commercial capabilities across the retail, foodservice, and food processing sectors.

According to Frank Burkhardt, chief commercial officer at Fyffes, succeeding in the French market requires strong local expertise and relationship-building, making Miles Import the ideal partner to help scale Fyffes’ responsible sourcing and international supply capabilities to more customers.

Building on a foundation of trust

While formalising as an exclusive distributorship starting in 2027, this agreement is built upon a solid foundation of mutual trust developed over six years of collaboration. Since 2020, Miles Import has successfully championed the Fyffes brand across France. Guy Lesvenan, chairman and CEO of Miles Import, notes that this milestone reflects a shared vision centered on quality, traceability, transparency, and long-term relationships.

Key takeaways

Expanded product portfolio: Miles Import will now lead the commercial development of Fyffes bananas in France, operating alongside their ongoing pineapple distribution business.

Supply chain resilience: the alliance is engineered to build a resilient, long-term supply chain that responds dynamically to the evolving needs of customers.

Elevated service standards: French customers can expect consistent product quality, reliable supply chains, and a high level of service backed by Fyffes’ international network and Miles Import’s localised execution.

As the fresh produce sector looks toward the launch of the agreement on 1 January 2027, this partnership signals a formidable synergy poised to enhance the supply and commercial development of tropical fresh produce across France.