According to projections by Lima's Chamber of Commerce (CCL), Peruvian organic banana exports will increase by 10% this year over 2017 and exceed 160 million dollars.
"In 2017, shipments amounted to 148.5 million, 2% less than in 2016. We expect shipments will have a more dynamic behavior at the end of the year. We are convinced that exports of this product will continue to increase and surpass the figures achieved in previous years," stated the executive director of the Foreign Trade Research and Development Institute of the CCL (Idexcam), Carlos Posada.
Up to August of this year, Peruvian exports of organic bananas totaled 114.4 million dollars, i.e. 12% more than in the same period of the previous year.
"In terms of volume, the country exported a total of 158,670 tons up until August, and by December exports are expected to surpass 230.093 tons, that is 14% more than in 2017," Posada stated.
The annual production of organic bananas amounts to 280,000 tons, 82% of which is exported.
Destination Markets
Currently, Peru exports its organic bananas to 31 countries, 80% of it is concentrated in three main markets: the Netherlands, the United States, and Germany.
In 2017, the Netherlands accounted for 36% of exports, the United States for 30%, Germany for 14%, and Belgium, Finland, and South Korea for 5% each.
It should be noted that the main destination markets varied from 2015 to 2017.
In 2015, the United States was the main importer followed by the Netherlands. However, in 2016 and 2017 the situation was reversed and the Netherlands became the main buyer.
In the last three years Germany and Belgium ranked as the third and fourth destination markets, respectively. South Korea and Finland ranked fifth and sixth, in each case.
During 2015, 2016, and 2017 Japan ranked seventh. Finally, in 2017, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada positioned themselves as the last three main destination markets.
"With this favorable scenario, producers must take into account the requirements of the destination countries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that organic certifications are recognized by these countries," he said.
"It is also essential to comply with the wrappers, containers, and packaging specifications," he added.
Source: andina.pe
