Banai Ltd. leads global subtropical fruit market from Israel’s desert

ISRAEL – Banai Ltd., an Israel-based grower and exporter, is transforming the subtropical fruit market through innovative cultivation in harsh desert conditions.

Israel’s harsh desert and semi-arid climate are proving ideal for developing new traits in subtropical fruits. Banai Ltd., an Israel-based grower and exporter, has become a leading supplier of rootstock, budwood, and new fruit varieties to growers worldwide.

Speaking during an interview with FreshPlaza, Daniel Banai, CEO and second-generation owner of Banai Ltd., explains, “We specialize in growing mango, litchi, and avocado, as well as plant propagation. Our plantations cover about 45 hectares. We maintain extensive mother plot gardens for rootstocks, budwood, and various other plant materials.”

Banai Ltd. operates not only in Israel but also collaborates with growers in Spain, South Africa, and California. They have a nursery in Zambia and export plant materials globally. “We work with breeders and represent some patented varieties in Israel,” adds Banai.

The company, founded by Yaron Banai in 1979, is located near the Sea of Galilee. It focuses on four areas: their farms, plant propagation, consultancy services, and nurseries.

They provide consultancy on irrigation, varieties, pruning, and fertilizing to 40 large-scale farms worldwide, including Mexico, the U.S., Ivory Coast, Zambia, and South Africa.

Banai Ltd. has five agronomists specializing in the fruit types they grow and manage. “We export to Europe as our main market, and to the U.S. and Canada. We ship mango to Europe and Canada, and litchi to Europe, Canada, and the U.S. We export fruit through Shoham packing house, located nearby,” Banai says.

The company represents patented varieties from around the world. “We have exclusivity for the Green-Motion avocado program from Eurosemillas and UC for their new avocado breeding varieties. We’re the master licensee in Israel,” notes Banai.

Additionally, they have a contract with the Volcani Centre for selecting and propagating new mango varieties in Israel. Their export markets for plant material and seeds include the U.S., Spain, South Africa, Turkey, Japan, and India.

Growers are keen on new varieties and rootstocks that offer better performance. Banai explains, “Growers are interested in new rootstocks that can cope with salt resistance and water stress. Heat is a significant limiting factor. In new varieties, we’re looking for high yield and high density, with resistance to various soil, heat, and climatic conditions.”

He adds, “During a recent heatwave, one lychee variety remained unaffected while another was badly hit, and the same was true for mango. We conduct our testing in Israel, but in the future, we may extend it to other countries.”

“Because of the hot, dry climate and soil salinity, Israel is well-known for developing and testing new varieties. It is the best place to do research because we have the harshest conditions.”

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