The papaya has always been a much loved exotic in southern countries, as well as on the ethnic market, but according to commercial director Leon van den Hombergh of Frankort&Koning the general public is now also ready for the papaya. "It is really becoming a trendy article. The papaya is rich in vitamins and fits into the healthy eating trend. The papaya is increasingly often a standard in the assortment."
Frankort&Koning receives the papayas from their Brazilian partner Agricola Famosa all year round. This isn't the ordinary papaya, but the Formosa Papaya, which is taking over more and more shelf space from the regular papaya. "It's not just a healthy fruit, it also tastes special. The soft fruit flesh, with a sweet flavour and a very intense orange colour, is an invitation to consumption. The consumer has something to take home with fruits of a kilo each."
Export by melon boat
The importer has the papayas exported by sea container to Europe. Straight after the harvest they are prepared for export in Brazil and go from PECEM to Rotterdam with the fast 'melon boats'. "We receive weekly papayas from a constant quality. Due to this we can keep the sales price more attractive. We try to maintain a stable price level, so that the papayas become accessible for a wider audience. The biggest sales market for the papaya is still the United States, followed by Japan."
Export by melon boat
The importer has the papayas exported by sea container to Europe. Straight after the harvest they are prepared for export in Brazil and go from PECEM to Rotterdam with the fast 'melon boats'. "We receive weekly papayas from a constant quality. Due to this we can keep the sales price more attractive. We try to maintain a stable price level, so that the papayas become accessible for a wider audience. The biggest sales market for the papaya is still the United States, followed by Japan."
"Payayas are sensitive products, which demand your full attention and can't just be thrown in. The fruits have to be harvested at the right time, carefully transported and skillfully handled when they arrive here," says Leon. "The papaya is also sensitive to rain. In Central American countries, but also in Brazil, there are a lot of extreme weather conditions, which means the availability is lower at the moment. The prospects for the coming time are better."
The papayas are transported in bags and packaged to the customer's wishes. "The best thing is to leave this exotic in the flowpack to maintain the climatic conditions," says Leon. He doesn't expect there to be a stabilisation in the demand for papayas. "The sales are in the starting blocks!"
The papayas are transported in bags and packaged to the customer's wishes. "The best thing is to leave this exotic in the flowpack to maintain the climatic conditions," says Leon. He doesn't expect there to be a stabilisation in the demand for papayas. "The sales are in the starting blocks!"
For more information:
Leon van den Hombergh
Frankort&Koning
Tel: 0031 (0) 77-3897202
[email protected]
www.frankort.nl
