European consumers consider it an exotic and exquisite refreshment and it is one of the most demanded fruits in the tropics.
It is the soursop (annona muricata), from which it is not easy to find accurate data on crops and production in the country.
A report by the Ministry of Agriculture points out that by the end of 2010 (latest data available in Colombia) the cultivated area was of little more than 2,100 hectares with a production of 19,700 tonnes.
These same statistics indicate that, in the past 18 years, the cultivated areas have moved on average between 1,300 and 2,100 hectares, without showing any growth, and a maximum of 22,600 tonnes were produced in 2008. Most of these areas are in Tolima, Valle, Santander, Cundinamarca, Huila, Antioquia and some in Eje Cafetero, and it is known that they are mostly small producers with just between 60 and 500 trees, although there are also some with up to 10,000.
In the latter range is René Jaimes, a producer from Santander de la Vereda San Ignacio de Bucaramanga, who with 7,200 trees is one of the largest soursop producers in the country. He produces around 1,200 tonnes per year, which for the most part he processes and sells in Colombia and abroad. Close to 25% of the production goes to foreign markets, mainly to the United States, and he is a pioneer in the business of processing and exporting this fruit.
"Soursop producers are really divided, so it is difficult to keep records. What we can say is that with a suitable and productive area and a well-maintained crop, each tree can produce over 200 kilos annually," said Jaimes, who is also the agricultural manager at Fruexcol Ltda., a small family business.
This is a long-term revenue crop, and although a tree can produce for up to 30 years, the first harvest only takes place 4 years after planting, and this is not completely certain.
"By the fifth year 70% of the trees are producing and by the sixth it goes to 100%, always as long as optimal weather conditions are maintained, fertilisers are used and they are constantly looked after. That requires dedication and it is costly, which is why not many producers dare to grow soursop," he pointed out.
Source: Larepublica
"By the fifth year 70% of the trees are producing and by the sixth it goes to 100%, always as long as optimal weather conditions are maintained, fertilisers are used and they are constantly looked after. That requires dedication and it is costly, which is why not many producers dare to grow soursop," he pointed out.
Source: Larepublica