Banana cultivators in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, are set to export approximately 680 metric tons of the G-9 banana variety to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Bahrain. This marks the district's first instance of exporting bananas via maritime routes, transitioning from traditional road transport to other cities.
The initiative began in 2018 when Desai Fruits Vegetable Company, based in Delhi, started purchasing bananas from Anantapur, with annual export volumes ranging between 12,000 to 15,000 metric tons. More recently, Sri Krishna Impex Venture Private Limited has been involved in purchasing the G-9 variety. The Horticulture Department has taken steps to ensure the quality of bananas remains intact for export by March. The procurement price has been set at approximately $0.32 per kilogram, directly benefiting the farmers.
Narasimha Rao, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department in Anantapur, highlighted the district's production of 24 fruit types, noting their unique taste and flavor that attracts regular demand and interest from recognized companies. He pointed out the significant increase in the purchase price per tonne from approximately $150 to $324, indicating a favorable market for local cultivators.
Source: etvbharat