From 26 November, Canary Island banana producers will be able to market their fruit under the Plátano de Canarias PGI following the geographical indicator’s official registration by the European Commission on Wednesday.
Producer association Asprocan welcomed the move, saying the new quality seal would act as support for the islands’ industry, strengthening the bananas’ identity and helping to differentiate them from other sources.
The label will cover production of the Cavendish variety grown on the islands on plantings 500m above sea level. Producer association Asprocan said bananas grown under these conditions have a unique flavour due their composition, being high in sugar and low in starch. “Additionally, their characteristic richness in aromatic compounds gives them an intense aroma and their high enzyme activity their distinctive black spots,” Asprocan said.
Despite being subsidised by the EU, Canary Island banana producers have struggled to compete with cheaper dollar imports and declining sales in mainland Spain – the sector’s biggest market – has fuelled efforts to seek new export markets. In 2012, the islands marketed approximately 371,000 tonnes of bananas, up from 346,000 tonnes in 2011. Prices for the same period fell by 2.7 per cent, resulting in a 9 per cent fall in the sector’s profitability, Asprocan said.
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