In order to commercialize the production of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) a group of producers in the southern area have organized a fair in the town of Cajon de Perez Zeledon for September 3 and 4 where producers will offer fresh fruit, jam, wine, pulp in syrup, dried pulp, and juice, among other products.
In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of this place, as well as various sports and cultural activities that have been organized for this celebration, which is being held for the second time.
In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture developed a project in the Region of Brunca to propagate this culture through grafts of varieties brought from Malaysia and Thailand, which remained at the Germplasm Bank of the National Banana Corporation (CORBANA) for many years.
Alberto Montero Gonzalez, manager of the National Fruit Program of the MAG said the quality of the new varieties introduced in Costa Rica has been a factor in the success of the crop's development. "These varieties produce excellent quality fruit, with the particular property that the pulp separates from the seed, thus avoiding choking problems. This project allowed the producers from that region to get grafted trees so that they could progressively eliminate the Creoles trees", he said.
At present, according to Gonzalez Montero, all the rambutan trees that are planted in the country are grafted. The fruit quality of these varieties have led to an increase in consumption and consumers are willing to pay good prices for this delicious fruit.
The fruit produced in Costa Rica, where the season begins in July and ends in early November, is sold in supermarket chains and agricultural fairs throughout the country, and has been exported to the US, Canada, and Europe for the past 6 years, said Montero.
Most of the rambutan production in Costa Rica is in the hands of small farmers. According to estimates, there are about 1,700 hectares planted with this fruit generating nearly 2 million kilos. Cultivation has spread to the Huetar Caribbean regions, the cantons of Pococi, Guacimo, Siquirres, and Matina, and to the Huetar Norte region, in the cantons of San Carlos, La Fortuna, Upala, Los Chiles, and Rio Frio.
It is mainly consumed as a fresh fruit. However, the producer organizations from the region of Brunca are developing value-added products with support from the Centre for Research in Food Technology, University of Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC). These products include pulp in syrup, dried pulp, toppings for desserts, and juices. Producers are even processing the fruit's skin, as it has been discovered that it has a high content of antioxidants.
The Second Rambutan Fair is being promoted by the Association of Fruit of the Region of Brunca (ASOFRUBRUNCA), an organization founded in 2005. The 115 members, who have been trained in cultivation, production, and the high quality processing of rambutan (for the local market and for export) produced nearly 550 tons of rambutan during 2015.
More information:
Luis Jiménez
ASOFRUBRUNCA
Tel.: +506 2100-1313
Facebook: Feria Nacional de Rambután