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Expertise & Quality

FRUTCO bananas hero image

We bring processed fruit from the tropics to your table. We do this sustainably and fairly. We use the latest technologies and scientific findings. Your health is important to us. We pay attention to high quality and food safety. We support you in your projects and do so economically so that all stakeholders benefit.

Vision

By processing fruit as a whole, we become a market leader by feeding the by-products back into the food supply chain.

Mission

Frutco plays an important role as a producer, marketer and supplier of processed tropical fruits. We are active throughout the entire supply chain and secure the necessary resources for our customers.

Values

We are committed to excellence and quality in everything we do. Fairness and respect for people and resources are our top priorities. We think and act for the long term.

The history of Frutco AG

1991

Gerber Inc. USA owns a plant for processing fresh bananas into banana puree in San Jose, Costa Rica. Over time, the quantity produced exceeds the company’s own requirements for banana puree for baby food production. Gerber Inc. decides to sell the excess capacity on the free market. In Europe, it finds M. Rüdiger and H. Schenker, two experts in the beverage market.

10.1.1992

Gerber Finance, USA founds Frutco AG in Lostorf SO with M. Rüdiger and H. Schenker. Frutco AG receives the license for Europe from Gerber Ingredients in Costa Rica as a distribution partner for banana puree. In the coming years, Futco AG builds up the distribution of banana puree in Europe.

1992

In its first financial year, Frutco AG achieved sales of CHF 3.7 million with a profit of CHF 24,000.

1994

Sandoz becomes a shareholder in Frutco AG through the merger with Gerber Inc. USA

1995

Frutco AG is gradually adding new processed exotic fruits to its product range alongside bananas.

1996/2000

Novartis is created in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy with Sandoz. In 2000, Novartis acquires Gerber Inc. and becomes a shareholder in Frutco AG.

2000

In January, Frutco AG moves into offices in the former historic Bally Schuhe management building in Schönenwerd, SO.

2005

Novartis sells its shares in Frutco AG to the two majority shareholders.

2006

Frutco AG founds the subsidiary Frutco (Netherlands) B.V. in Holland for organic distribution in the EU.

2007

Nestle takes over Gerber Inc. and becomes a license partner of Frutco AG

2013

Frutco AG is taken over by ct finance AG

2014

Frutco AG moves its domicile from Schönenwerd SO to Baden AG

2017

The sister company Frutco de las Americas in Nicaragua is founded together with the sisters Chimaco SA (farm management) and Gemastepe SA (large farm)

2018

Chimaco SA, the young sister company of Frutco AG, wins the “Runner-up” award for the best Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America at the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai with the participation of over 140 nations.

2022

Partnership with Paradise Ingredients, Costa Rica, as a supplier of banana puree and concentrate.