Indian bananas are enjoying increased demand in European and Middle Eastern export markets, according to new figures from the country's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Exports have jumped 89 per cent to hit 25,013 tonnes between January and April this year, according to the group, up from 13,207 tonnes during the same period of 2008.
'It is the first time that Indian bananas are in great demand from abroad because of the improved quality of the fruit,' an APEDA official told The Hindu.
He added that the focus on quality has been achieved through the hard work of producers, who have taken extra care during cultivation by following closely pre-harvesting procedures, using contract farming and opting for organic inputs.
