Musanorte: An Unexpected Banana Boom
Musanorte, a Basque company with Canarian roots, has found incredible success in an unexpected business: ripening bananas. This economic engine located in Orozko is projected to generate €100 million in turnover. The company specializes in what happens after bananas are harvested, ensuring that these green fruits are perfectly ripe and ready to eat.
The Process of Controlled Ripening
Musanorte employs sophisticated techniques in the controlled ripening of fruit. Bananas that arrive from the Canary Islands green are placed in chambers where temperature and ethylene gas are carefully regulated. Ethylene, a natural maturation hormone produced by fruits, is artificially applied to accelerate the ripening process. This ensures that the bananas reach stores in their optimal state—vibrant yellow and free from dark spots—thus enhancing their appeal to consumers.
Company Background
Musanorte operates as a subsidiary of Mercamusa, a well-established company in fruit marketing that runs a ripening plant in Alicante. After Mercamusa’s acquisition by Eurobanana in 2017, the focus shifted toward eliminating intermediaries. This allowed for better quality control and cost-saving measures, as all production is conducted in the Canary Islands, while ripening and packaging take place in the mainland facilities.
Capacity and Investments
Musanorte boasts over 21 ripening chambers and two packaging lines, giving it the capacity to manage around 40,000 tons of bananas annually, alongside the 30,000 tons managed in Alicante. Since starting operations in 2020, the company has recently received a considerable investment of €24 million, which has expanded its capacity even further. More importantly, Musanorte anticipates creating 100 new jobs locally, injecting vitality into the Orozko region.
Challenges: The Banana Crisis
Despite its successes, the banana sector has faced serious challenges. In 2025, the price of Canary Islands bananas skyrocketed to €7 per kilo. At that time, many farmers struggled to survive financially, relying on European Union aid due to production costs exceeding retail prices. While the situation has improved, production costs remain a significant burden, affecting the profitability of growers and placing additional pressure on the industry.
In summary, Musanorte’s remarkable journey illustrates how a niche market like banana ripening can turn into a major economic driver, all while navigating the complexities of agricultural economics and market demand.
