"We export 400,000 boxes of bananas to Europe every week"

The Dominican Republic was an honorary guest during Macfrut. There was a pavilion with various companies and cooperatives from the country. Ramón Faña of the Asexbam cooperative says Adobanano is the largest cooperative of banana growers from the Dominican Republic. "Since 1990, we've exported to European countries. All in all, we export about 400,000 boxes of bananas from the Dominican Republic to Europe. That's a big increase since we started. In 1990, this was still about 5000 boxes every week. For June 2016, we aim to export half a million boxes every week."

Ramón Faña during Macfrut 2015.

100% organic cultivation
Ramón says they are a big producer in organic bananas. "Around 85% of the banana production in the Dominican Republic is organic and fair trade. The export of organic bananas started in 1995, and demand has risen enormously in recent years. The taste is the same as the conventional bananas, but the price is higher, seeing how the grower needs to work harder on it." He expects production to be 100% organic in a few years. "We aim to cultivate organic only in 2018."

Looking back
The Dominican Republic hasn't always experienced an increase in the export of bananas. "Some years ago, we had a problem with sales to Europe decreasing. Fortunately we received financial support from Europe. Thanks to this, we were able to invest in things like quality and production methods. This in turn caused a boost in the sector."

For more information:
Ramón Faña
Asociacion de Productores Bananeros de Exportacion de Montecristi Inc.
Tel: 829-247-1129
asexbam@gmail.com