The Angolan banana industry hopes to improve its position in both the local and international markets; to do so, investments need to be made in quality and boosting the quantity of production.
This conclusion emerged from the 5th edition of the National Production Banana Fair (FdB) held from May 26-29 this year in northern Bengo province. Jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Bengo Government, the event also recommended a major flow of the product into the large consumer and export centres.
Another concern expressed at the event concerns phytosanitary conditions. Angolan banana is sought after in foreign markets, mainly in neighbouring countries, but needs to meet phytosanitary requirements.
As for exports, Bengo province, the largest Angolan grower today, sold 200 tons of banana last year. For this year, the plan is to export 1,200 tons.
Surveys of other markets, especially European ones, is high on the agenda. This year, on May 22, the first symbolic batch of 17 tons of banana were shipped from the Lobito Port, in central Benguela province, to the Port of Leixões, Portugal, after the last consignment 42 years ago.
At independence in 1975, Angola was a big exporter of the so called "green gold". Production declined due to the war the country plunged into. Angolans are now seeking trading alternatives to oil. Banan production and export figures are still low in Angola. They cannot be compared to large producers and exporters in South America, such as Costa Rica, Guatemala and San Salvador. Still, the Government's commitment to the development of agriculture should place the fruit at the level it deserves in the national economy in the future.
Angolan banana production equals 923,000 tons. Bengo province alone accounts for 911,000 tons.
Source: allafrica.com
