MENAFN/
As the world’s economy trembles from the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, Panama’s pineapple producers are seeing an increase in sales as consumers seek multivitamin foods rich in antioxidants, to gain what they believe is a defence against diseases such as the coronavirus.
Panama produces and exports the MD2 Golden pineapple, a fruit that is sweeter and has less fibre and acidity than those produced in other countries, and it can contain up to four times more Vitamin C than regular varieties.
Hipólito Vergara, director of pineapple operations at Verba Odrec, said that these qualities of the Panamanian fruit had allowed demand to strengthen towards the European market now that consumers demand more fruits and vegetables, according to a TVN report.
“Our customers in Europe, who supply supermarket chains, report that pineapple consumption has risen. We have clients in Italy, one of our main markets, and so far they have not cancelled any orders, on the contrary, we have increased them,” said Vergara.
The Chorrera Company exports to Europe between 40,000 and 50,000 kilograms of the fruit a week. Twenty per cent of the shipments go to the Italian market. Verba Odrec pineapple is packed on pallets (wooden pallet) with capacity for 36 boxes with six fruits per box.
The box with six fruits and an average weight of 12 kilograms shipped by air has a cost in the European market of between $10 and $12. For boxes sent by boat, its price ranges from $5 to $6 per box.
Turkey, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Jordan, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, Ireland, Japan and the United Arab Emirates are some of the main destinations for the Panamanian fruit.
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