United Fruit Company

The United Fruit Company (UFCO) was founded in 1899 with Minor C. Keith’s merger of his own assets in Central America with those of the Boston Fruit Company in the West Indies. The company quickly realized success, dominating the market in tropical fruits, especially bananas and pineapples, well into the mid twentieth century. Along with its competitor, the Standard Fruit Company, UFCO was a central player in the establishment of enclave economies throughout Central America and was largely responsible for the creation of the banana republics.