Rivals to merge and base largest global banana firm in Ireland

Tropical fruit supplier Fyffes is to merge with US-based rival Chiquita in a deal creating the world’s largest banana company, which will be based in Ireland.

The proposed new business will be called ChiquitaFyffes and generate revenues of $4.6bn from the sale of more than 160 million banana boxes a year, as well as melons and pineapples.