Engineer Cristobal Toscano is the first producer in the state to make this export, albeit through an intermediary, as the state doesn't pack this fruit.
"The goal was always to export the fruits, ever since I started the orchard five years ago. The price in the domestic market does not cover production costs. Here we get paid 6 or 7 pesos per kilo while the international price is around $ 1.50," he said.
To date, the producer has already exported 30 tons of fruit to the United States and he hopes to send another 10 tons from the remainder of the harvest, which ends in November, to McAllen, Texas.
The most difficult part, said the producer, was to obtain the phytosanitary control certifications, as the region's Plant Health, the National Health Service, Food Safety and Quality (SENASA), had no specialists available for this fruit.
"They lack specialists in this area because this is not an area with significant crops of pomegranates. The closest ones were in the towns of Armero and La Huerta. They were not experts in pomegranates, but were specialists in mango, which has a similar control," Toscano stated.
Another constraint for local exports was the crop's capacity. Toscano currently has 11 hectares and doesn't plan to have more in the short-term. Additionally, the fruit must meet quality requirements, such as colour, size, maturity, and a near to 16 degrees Brix acidity, so that the fruit arrives at its destination in perfect condition.
"The State Committee on Pomegranates is betting on exports of pomegranate derivatives, such as juices and jams. There is a greater capacity and there has been a rapprochement with Dutch and US companies. This is why we are seeking the international certification process," said Gerardo Alvarez, chairman of Jalisco's AC State Committee's Pomegranate Product System.
The certificates awarded by Senasica, Sagarpa, and the Local Board of Plant Health from Zapotlan el Grande, are required to export the fruit during 2015. In the future, producers will have to comply with international standards and food safety certifications.
Source: elmanana.com