Prospects for the world economy have not been good for the last two years and this has taken a toll on the total export sales of Peruvian products. However, those of a non-traditional origin continue to grow at interesting rates.
This is the case of the Valery Cavendish banana, as highlighted by the Foreign Trade Society (ComexPerú). In the last few years, Peruvian exports of this variety have been quite dynamic. Between 2005 and 2011 they grew at an annual rate of 24%.
Last year, shipments of this fruit increased by 26%, bringing 81.2 million U.S. dollars in revenue; the main buyers were the Netherlands, Belgium, the U.S. and Germany, informed the Exporters Association (ADEX).
According to ADEX, 95% of all bananas exported by Peru are Cavendish, and their growing demand is due to their organic origin.
The Association points out that Peru also sells banana powder, semolina and flour, although in smaller proportions.
To make shipments abroad, sanitary and organic certificates are required; these are processed by the General Directorate of Environmental Health (Digesa).
The main firms exporting fresh bananas are those in the Association of Small Producers of Organic Bananas of Samán, whose exports were valued at 8 million dollars between January and October last year, according to Comex.
They also highlighted the Association of Small Producers of Organic Bananas of Querocotillo, with US$ 6 million in the same period, and the Solidarity Association of Organic Banana Growers (SQS) with US$ 5 million.
Source: peru21.pe
