A study has reportedly concluded that Mediterranean fruit fly is not present in the Colombian exotic fruit industry – a move which is hoped to facilitate more global market access for the South American country.
According to a statement from Proexport Colombia, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Ciat) analysed 15,000 samples of Colombian fruits and found no evidence of the pest.
“This study confirms the importance of agricultural research for Colombia, as it sets the stage for the elimination of sanitary barriers, which could encourage the fruit industry and significantly increase fruit exports to countries like the US,” said Ruben Echeverria, general director of Ciat.
As part of the research, fruits such as passion fruit (both the maracuya and granadilla varieties) and gulupa, were analysed in the provinces of Boyaca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Tolima, Valle del Cauca and Caldas.
Colombia sees enormous potential to boost its exotic fruit exports to the world.
The full report will be published in the April/May issue of Americafruit Magazine.
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