Vertical Integration in Ecuador: The Case of Fresh‐Cut Pineapples

Telesignos, a fruit producer and exporter in Guayaquil, Ecuador, was considering vertical integration into pre‐cut pineapple production. Fruit processing skills, favorable image/reputation, as well as access to a new market could be obtained by linking with a company like Del Monte to produce fresh‐cut fruit products under the Del Monte brand. The decision is whether it would make sense for Telesignos to invest in a fresh fruit processing facility in Ecuador to export fresh‐cut pineapple to the United States.