Miyazaki's "NEXT716" Banana Brand Launches New Plantation in Okinawa

Next Farm, the producer of the "NEXT716" banana brand in Kawaminami, Miyazaki, has officially commenced operations at a new farm in Yomitan Village, Okinawa. The brand, famous for its "edible skin" variety, has garnered significant attention from media and public figures in Miyazaki and is now set to expand its footprint from Okinawa.

By leveraging Okinawa’s tropical environment, the company aims to supply high-quality domestic bananas while utilizing its established expertise in cultivation, quality management, and ripening processes.

A key driver for this expansion is cost efficiency. In regions north of Okinawa, artificial heating is indispensable during winter to prevent the crops from freezing, leading to substantial fuel expenses. However, Okinawa’s warm winter climate eliminates the need for heating, allowing for a significant reduction in overhead costs. This efficiency is expected to enable the supply of domestic bananas at a more affordable price point for consumers.

Furthermore, the facility is designed as a "circular farm." Instead of discarding the leaves and stems after harvest, the company plans to extract fibers from these materials to manufacture textiles and paper products. This strategic move to Okinawa marks the beginning of Next Farm’s second major challenge in making Japanese-grown bananas widely accessible across the country.