Since the plants have weakened and there have been water shortages, pests have increased in several hectares of organic bananas. However, "the red spot could endanger the export of this product," said Juan Carlos Risco Navarrete, assistant Urban and Rural Productive Manager of the Sullanera Commune.
He explained that the increase in pests included, not only the red spot, but also other pests such as the flake and the red mite. "The specifications of the overseas markets, such as Europe, the U.S. or Japan, that have to be met in order to enter bananas is to be free of these pests, so we are working with the producers to overcome them," he said.
Risco Navarrete said that twenty-five thousand families depended on the five thousand hectares of organic bananas planted in Sullana, and that a reduction in production would lower their income and standard of living. They could even be classified as bad producers.
"The red spot produces stains on the epidermis of the banana. This, however, does not change the fruit's taste qualities or proteins; but the change in the skins appearance, makes it unattractive for the market to which it is exported, " Risco said.
Source: Eltiempo.pe