Peru has consolidated its position as the world’s leading exporter of organic bananas, having marketed an estimated €34.1m worth of fruit last year, according to official figures.
The country’s organic banana industry, which is predominantly located in northern Peru, has seen exports rise substantially over the past five years, from 18,000 tonnes in 2003 to 78,000 tonnes in 2008.
The figures, from Peru’s ministry of agriculture, also revealed that exports for the first two months of 2009 increased in volumes terms by 12 per cent over the same period a year before to 15,000 tonnes, reports Peruvian news agency Andina.
In value terms, exports for the two months were worth more than €6.9m, which amounted to a rise of 35 per cent compared with the same stage of 2008.
The European Union is the principal recipient of Peru’s organic banana exports, taking some 60 per cent of the fruit, with the US and Japan also receiving significant volumes.
Aside from Peru, the Dominican Republic remains the second-largest exporter of organic bananas, shipping some €31.9m worth of fruit last year, added Andina.
