Cameroon, along with Ivory Coast and Ghana, exports bananas to Europe, primarily through Eurofruitports in Antwerp, which receives around 7,000 tons weekly. The company also distributes other produce and faces challenges such as drug smuggling and rising labor costs. There’s a notable growth in demand for organic bananas as well.
Cameroon, along with Ivory Coast and Ghana, plays a significant role in supplying bananas to Europe, supplementing the larger Latin American market. Eurofruitports, based in Antwerp, Belgium, receives approximately 7,000 tons of Cavendish bananas weekly, primarily from Cameroon. Operations supervisor Jan Simons notes that these shipments include bananas transported on refrigerated ships with a weekly transit time of ten days, including a stop in Portsmouth, UK.
Eurofruitports further distributes these West African bananas to countries like France, Germany, and Eastern European nations. According to Simons, 2024 is projected to be a standout year for banana exports, reflecting the enhanced quality and competitiveness of West African bananas in the market.
In addition to bananas, Eurofruitports also deals in cherry tomatoes from Senegal (available December-April) and mangoes from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso (April-July). Simons highlights the significant growth potential for mangoes in the European market.
Logistically, Eurofruitports uses a sophisticated warehouse management system to ensure full traceability of products upon arrival. The company, alongside Kloosterboer and Lineage, maintains a leading position in North Sea banana transshipment, benefitting from Antwerp’s logistical advantages compared to Vlissingen in the Netherlands.
However, the company faces challenges including drug smuggling and increased labor costs. Simons acknowledges that drugs can infiltrate European ports through concealed shipments, prompting close collaboration with federal police for detection. Furthermore, he warns that rising labor costs due to wage indexing could threaten competitiveness in Antwerp.
Additionally, there is a growing interest in organic produce, with organic banana volumes nearly quadrupling over the past ten years. Progress is also being made by Ghana and the Ivory Coast in this market segment.
Cameroon’s banana exports to Europe, particularly through Antwerp, are significant, highlighting the growing quality and competitiveness of West African bananas. Eurofruitports continues to manage logistical operations effectively while also diversifying into other produce like mangoes. Challenges like drug smuggling and labor costs pose risks to future growth, while a surge in organic banana demand indicates a promising market evolution.
Original Source: www.freshplaza.com
