Organics Unlimited, an organic banana grower and importer headquartered in San Diego County, is in the midst of expanding farmable acreage in its farms in Colima, Mexico.

Expansion began in 2015, when farms counted with 440 hectares, or 1,087 acres. In 2016, farms had expanded to 496 hectares, or 1,225 acres, and by September of 2017, there will be 690 hectares, or 1,705 acres. This growth will continue through 2018 with a goal of reaching 755 hectares, or 1,865 acres by year end.

“Dramatic increase in sales of retail produce that is both organic and sustainably grown has fueled a rise in demand,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, president of Organics Unlimited. “Consumers want to know exactly what they are eating, where their produce comes from, how it was grown and the resulting impact on the environment and communities. Our acreage expansion will allow us to meet the demand of our consumers while keeping our commitment to sustainability”

New farmland will consist of both virgin soil and soil previously used for conventional farming. Land used for conventional farming has undergone strict conversion protocols to meet organic certification standards and is now ready for organic use. For organic bananas, this means production without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides on land that has been free of synthetic chemicals for at least three years.

The acreage expansion will account for a 55 percent increase in organic-certified acres and a 58 percent increase in volume from 2015.

To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.