Bananas are a product with tropical origin that has managed to spread throughout the world, being planted in all regions where agricultural production is possible. Currently, South American bananas are the world’s largest producer and exporter of these fruits. This great geographical extension, climatic amplitude and cultural diversity have led to a wide range of varieties and cultivation methods.
The agricultural production of bananas in this region has had a great influence on the local economy. Although harvesting began on small farms, today large extensions are also being introduced for industrial cultivation. Pleasantly appreciated for their flavor and easy digestibility, plantains are grown as fresh fruit or used as raw material for the production of by-products such as flour, alcohol, and oils.
The favorite fruit of people: the banana.
The plantain is one of the first plants to be domesticated, in fact, it has been cultivated for about 10,000 years. In the Stone Age, our ancestors used to plant it from rhizome shoots. There are local variations, and today we can see up to 500 different varieties of bananas being harvested in different countries. In recent years, South American bananas have been the most sought because of their high nutritional value.
They constitute the staple food in the daily diet of many people in most parts of the world. This is due to their ease of cultivation and low market price. They are unique fruits that can be used fresh, cooked and dried, being easily found in all markets and points of sale. They have a high content of natural sugars and their consumption provides nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C.
South America: excellent agricultural soil
The sector has been an important pillar of the Latin American economy since the 1950s, when rising prices and an increase in demand from northern countries led to a rapid expansion of production. In terms of the gross value of its production, bananas are the world’s fourth most significant food crop, after rice, wheat, and maize. Latin America dominates the world’s banana economy, the vast majority of which is grown on large monoculture plantations.
In South America, the banana is one of the main ingredients in the cuisine, besides being an essential source of carbohydrates. It is estimated that there are approximately more than 300 varieties of bananas, grown mainly in this part of the globe. The differences between each variety are due to different climatic and personal factors, the latter being the most indispensable. In other words, the consumer’s personal taste makes the difference in the choice of his or her favorite banana.
World production is approximately 58,000 thousand tons and the main producing countries are those of South America with almost 26% of total world production. In fact, Ecuador is one of the largest banana producers in South America. Other Latin American countries that are also dedicated to its cultivation and production are Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, and Mexico. They can also be found in some Caribbean regions, such as Haiti and Puerto Rico.
Contact us
For more information about South American bananas, click here, http://anproex.com/. Also, for more information about all products our company offers, please call 956 052 737. On the other hand, we have a mail for consultations, ventas@anproex.com. We are located at 267 Monterrico Chico Avenue, Santiago de Surco, Lima – Peru.
