Bama-Gruppen AS is Norway's largest private distributor of fruit and vegetables. Bama-Gruppen is engaged in wholesale trading of imported and Norwegian-produced fresh produce in fruits, vegetables and flowers. The corporation was founded as Chr. Matthiessen AS in 1886 when (1850–1918) from Kristiansand started a lumber business. Banana imports began in 1905 as the first in Europe outside the UK. The company was eventually named Banana Matthiessen. In 1981, the corporate name was changed to Bama-Gruppen AS.