Arabfields, Nadia Fatima Zahra, Arabfields, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — Belgian agribusiness group SIPEF is expanding its banana operations in Côte d’Ivoire through the planned acquisition of Tiabam, a plantation in the Tiassalé region that could help lift the company’s annual banana production to about 70,000 tonnes.

The transaction, carried out through SIPEF subsidiary Plantations J. Eglin, is expected to be completed later in September. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Tiabam covers approximately 450 hectares, including 320 hectares currently in production, and produces between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes of bananas annually. More than 70% of its output is exported to the European market, while the remainder is sold domestically and in other African markets.

The acquisition will bring SIPEF’s number of banana estates in Côte d’Ivoire’s southern Lagunes region to six. The plantation’s location near SIPEF’s existing Akoudjé estate is expected to create operational efficiencies in procurement, logistics and exports.

SIPEF said it plans to increase productivity at the newly acquired operation through crop optimisation and targeted investment. The group already operates 1,238 hectares of banana plantations, which produced 52,159 tonnes in 2025.

The expansion reflects SIPEF’s efforts to strengthen its banana business alongside its larger palm products operations. Managing Director Petra Meekers said the group sees growth potential in bananas because of resilient consumer demand for an affordable and nutritious staple food.

The company expects the integration of Tiabam and improvements in operational efficiency to support its ambition of raising total banana production to approximately 70,000 tonnes.

The deal also has implications for the plantation’s workforce and surrounding communities. Tiabam employs around 400 people, and SIPEF has said it intends to maintain continuity in operations while working with employees as the estate is integrated into the group.

Existing social facilities will be retained and reviewed, with investments planned to improve housing and clinics where necessary. SIPEF also intends to prioritise spending on health and safety, irrigation, equipment and replanting.

Plantations J. Eglin Director General Charles De Wulf said workers at the nearby Akoudjé plantation were looking forward to working with their new colleagues. Akoudjé’s newly developed area recorded a 48.7% increase in production in 2025, according to the company.

For Côte d’Ivoire, a major African banana exporter, the acquisition underscores continued investment in a sector closely linked to European markets. Tiabam’s established export business and proximity to SIPEF’s existing operations could give the Belgian group greater scale while allowing it to consolidate production, logistics and commercial activities.

The ultimate financial impact of the acquisition remains unclear because the purchase price and detailed investment costs have not been made public. However, if the integration proceeds as planned, the transaction would mark a significant expansion of SIPEF’s banana production base in one of Africa’s most important producing countries.