Erick Martinez, the director of the Agricultural food Program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), stated that last year Honduras had exported 923 metric tons of Haitian avocado worth $ 670,000 dollars (L.16.4 million).
In 2017 the country only exported 524 tons of this product, which means the export volume increased by 64%, or almost 400 metric tons, he said. The departments of Olancho and Yoro are the biggest producers of avocado, among other sectors, he added.
Costa Rica and the rest of the Central American countries are the main destinations for the Haitian avocado. This product practically doubled its exports, both in volume and value, when compared to previous years, the official added.
He also suggested businessmen further boost the production of this product to open new markets and generate more income.
Hondurans consume about 35 million avocados per year, that is, each person eats 4 pounds of that fruit, according to the SAG.
However, domestic demand has to be covered by massive imports, which absorb about 11 million dollars a year, especially of Hass avocado.
Source: latribuna.hn
