Powdered avocado, a Colombian invention
Misael Cortés Rodríguez, project leader and director of the Research Group on Functional Foods, indicated the project included: "Guacamole and various toppings, as well as a powder with calcium, iron and vitamins A and D, which we hope will help us mitigate the nutritional deficiencies of the Colombian population.
90 out of every 100 avocados consumed in the world are Hass.
The research is sponsored by Colciencias in alliance with several companies from Medellín (HRA Uniquímica SA and Taco Nacho Mex SAS), also aims at developing a variety of products from Hass avocados on a large scale.
"Working with powder will reduce the price of labour and use of equipment in processing. In addition, it will generate profit from the point of view of quality and shell life," said Cortés Rodriguez.
Antioquia seeks to be a benchmark in production
The east, west and north of the department are the most favourable areas for the cultivation of exotic fruits. According to the 2014 data of the Ministry of Agriculture of Antioquia, 64,000 trees will be planted in the next three years in the municipalities of Abejorral, Guarne, El Retiro, El Santuario, Sonsón, Granada, San Vicente, El Carmen de Viboral, Marinilla, La Ceja, El Peñol, San Pedro, Antioquia, Santa Rosa de Osos, Belmira and Entrerríos.
The avocado is becoming more coveted in the world
In the beginning of February, the Minister of Agriculture, Aurelio Iragorri Valencia, was in eastern Antioquia and he said the Government was determined to increase exports of avocado, a product with a growing demand in the North American and European markets.
"90 out of every 100 avocados consumed in the world are Hass. 98% of the avocados consumed in the US are Hass avocados. That is the dominant product, "said Jairo Humberto Gómez Patiño, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Antioquia.
Source: El Colombiano