Philippines’ organic banana exports to Japan grow

The market for organic bananas in Japan is growing, even as exporters are trying to cope with the appreciation of the peso versus the dollar that has reduced their earnings, a local industry leader has stated.

Lito Apuzen, manager of Tupi Balangon/Bongulan Growers' Association (Tubaga), said in an interview that at least three more groups of Japanese buyers expressed interest in buying their produce for distribution in Japan. Bongulan is a native, table-dish variety that the association has been supplying to Alter Trade in Japan for distribution to Japanese consumers in the last three years.

While he declined to identify the prospective Japanese buyers, Mr. Apuzen said "one is a sure client, while the two others are waiting for a key development regarding the association." "They are waiting for our certification from an international organic certifying body. We're on the last stages of application and we're just waiting for the foreign inspectors to see our banana plantations," he said.

He was referring to ECOCERT, an inspection and certification body that verifies conformity of organic products with regulations of Europe, Japan and the US.

The 124-member Tubaga ships an average of 21,600 kilograms weekly to Japan through Alter Trade, which has a captive market of consumer cooperatives in Japan that advocate organic products.

Mr. Apuzen said they expect an expansion of bongulan banana plantations in Tupi, South Cotabato once the negotiations with the new Japanese buyers are sealed. The association now maintains 211 hectares of bongulan plantations in Tupi town.

Mr. Apuzen cited just one problem: "Our production cost has not been reduced by the stronger peso, such as for our packing materials."

(reprinted with permission from Organic Monitor)