This week thirteen Brazilian banana producers are visiting the Netherlands to learn about the Dutch approach. "The technique of banana ripening in Brazil has been the same for forty years," says Frits Popma, host of the Brazilian delegation. West European supermarket chains, that are part of the Brazilian market, follow the European shelf life and flavour requirements.
"Brazil is a major banana producer but most of their bananas stay inside the domestic market," says Frits. In Europe the Cavenidish banana is king on the banana market, but in Brazil it is the Prata banana. "That banana variety ripens far different from the bananas here. Those bananas do not come to Europe because they are more expensive than the bananas from Ecuador and Costa Rica."
The visit is being organized by Heraldo Pupo from 'Grupo Magreb Brasil' and Frits Popma from Popma Fruit Expertise. During the visit the bananas will be followed from the harbour, via the ripening rooms, to the supermarkets. Monday they visited Unite Fresh Services and VDH for example. Yesterday they will visit the Vlissingen port and De Groot International. Today the visit will finish with presentations from companies that work with the whole banana chain.
More Information:
Heraldo Pupo
Grupo Magreb Brasil
T: +554192556851
E: heraldopupo@hotmail.com
Frits Popma
Popma Fruit Expertise
T: +31651188669
E: fwpopma@ziggo.nl
More Information:
Heraldo Pupo
Grupo Magreb Brasil
T: +554192556851
E: heraldopupo@hotmail.com
Frits Popma
Popma Fruit Expertise
T: +31651188669
E: fwpopma@ziggo.nl