On Monday, entrepreneurs from the melon sector stated that Honduras expected to export at least 20 million boxes of melon to the international market. They also said that the country was looking to open the Japanese market.
"We exported about 18 million boxes of melons in the 2012-2013 period. This year, if the market allows it, we plan to ship at least 20 million boxes of melon," said producer Joseph Motz.
He added that, "we know it is a significant impact on the economy, but this product has a good demand in international markets and we are in the process of entering the Japanese market."
"For the past three years, we've been working to meet the standards, i.e. our companies must be free of the Mediterranean fruit fly, among other requirements," he said.
He noted that, "we are exporting to markets in Asia, Singapore and Taiwan, because we are specializing our workforce and creating more jobs."
Source: Latribuna.hn