Madagascar: import of seed potato and fruit export

Den Bosch – Madagascar has big potential for the production of fruit and vegetables. The lychee and the potato are still the most important export produce. Nevertheless, export produce faces quantity problems as well as quality problems nowadays, which make them less competitive in the international markets. The plantations’ aging is one of the main factors.

Regarding potatoes, the problem is the lack of seed potatoes. The cooperative Ymca has just singed a contract with the island Mauritius concerning the export of 1,300 MT of potatoes. But 250 MT seeds are needed to achieve such a production. Therefore the cooperative will borrow from the National Investment Bank (BNI) to import 21 MT of seed potatoes from the Netherlands.

A short while ago a new product has joined Madagascar’s export list: the kaki. This fruit has attracted the interest of the island Mauritius. This year, 100 MT of kakis will be exported to the island. Although it is an easily perishable product, measures like the implementation of new cool chambers are already being taken to solve this problem.

Publication date: 08-03-2006
Author: Vitória Piai
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