"Custard apple lovers around the world, from Canada to Jordan to Europe, have a preference for the Lebanese origin," says Chady Kaadan, CEO of Kaadan Center. According to the grower, Lebanese annona has great potential yet to be fully exploited.
Chady has been producing custard apple, also known as annona in southern Lebanon for over 14 years and exports his fruit all over the world. He says, "Consumers love Lebanese annona and prefer it to other origins. annona is a native crop in Lebanon and the natural conditions are very good, which translates into greater juiciness whereas the competition's annona is drier, as well as having a sweeter taste."
The producer adds: "It's true that annona produced in other origins has a more competitive price, but our prices are justified by higher production costs, coupled with better quality. Despite the price difference, once consumers discover Lebanese annona, they just won't want to replace it, and that's what we're seeing in Denmark, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, and Jordan where consumers ask for Lebanese origin. International demand is so strong that at Kaadan we export 95% of our production."
While the fruit itself is not mainstream, Chady says he's banking on the European public discovering the Lebanese origin. "We have a large production capacity and will be able to keep up with the increase in demand."
For more information:
Chady Kaadan
Kaadan Center
+96170500520
Email: [email protected]
www.kaadancenter.com