"Belgium: "Interesting move in demand to organic and fairtrade bananas"

Importer and exporter Belbana was established in 1991 by Pedro Beltodano. The company focuses mainly on the import and supply of bananas. Pierre Baltodano is second generation and tells about the growth and developments during the last few years. "No year is the same in the world of bananas, the market is most unpredictable. Right from the start of the company we have suppled bananas all year round and the most important source countries are Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. In addition we offer outside of the European season, from December till May, pineapples, melons and watermelon."

More demand for organic and fairtrade

He mentions that one of the most important developments in the world of bananas

is the changed demand from clients. "About ten years ago it was mainly conventional bananas. Slowly the interest of the consumer changed and the demand for organic and fairtrade bananas increased. Organic is becoming more and more the standard and fairtrade is to be seen more as well. The demand for organic came before fairtrade. That is only from the last few years. I expect these markets to develop even further in the future and we anticipate this. As far as looks there is hardly any difference any more these days between organic and conventional, only the price of organic is a little higher. The demand for organic and fairtrade mainly comes from Western European countries now. I expect that this will start in Eastern Europe."

Most of the volumes are still conventional at the moment. We supply our bananas under three brands: our own Belbana, Tomy and also, especially for supermarkets, private labels. Buyers are a mix of wholesalers, independent ripening centres and supermarkets. Also the pineapples and melons are sold under Belbana and Tomy.
Our market is all over Europe."

Pierre Baltodano

When will black Sigatoka become a structural problem?

"A different phenomenon, which has an impact on the banana market, is the economic crisis. One notices that traders have become more cautious when buying. In the cultivation the banana sickness Black Sigatoka is a hot topic. The biggest threat for the Cavendish bananas.

It is spreading more and more in various areas all over the world. All countries are aware of this, however, and it is easy to fight. The question is now: when will it become a real structural problem? It is definitely a danger. We as importers hardly notice it, because it is well controlled. We are kept informed because of the close cooperation with our technicians and by visiting the orchards regularly. Nevertheless it is not only the banana sickness, which has an impact on the production. Also the various weather conditions have a large influence."

In the marketing area Pierre notices that a brand is becoming less important with bananas. "A banana is a banana and supermarkets want less variation on the shelf all the time. These days relationships one has with the clients are more important and not the brands one sells. Therefore we cannot say that we are bothered by the 'big ones' in the world of bananas. The supermarkets selling their own types are getting stronger all the time."

Larger location

Belbana has been in existence for more than twenty years already and that is why a new logo was introduced at the beginning of this year. "This one has a new and fresh aura and fits the image of the company better," Pierre explains enthusiastically. He is positive about the future. "The banana market is interesting, but also not easy. I hope that the economic situation will improve soon. We expect to find a new, larger location in the future. Possibly we will then go for organic and fairtrade as well with our other products. Belbana has recently started a new project in Costa Rica. We want to be integrated further in the chain and have started our own orchard there. This autumn we expect the first harvest".

For more information:
Pierre Baltodano
Belbana nv
4, Ambachtstraat

8370 Blankenberge - Belgium
Tel: +32 50 374 100
Fax: +32 50 374 151
www.belbana.com