Cameroon Bananas: A Vital Supply for France and Eastern Europe

Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Ghana export bananas weekly to Europe, particularly Belgium. Eurofruitports receives around 7,000 tons of Cavendish bananas, primarily from Cameroon, and emphasizes improving quality. Challenges include drug smuggling and labor costs, while opportunities in organic produce are emerging. The company maintains a focus on growth and efficiency moving forward.

Cameroon, along with Ivory Coast and Ghana, regularly exports bananas to Europe each week. Jan Simons, operational supervisor at Eurofruitports in Antwerp, Belgium, mentions that the company receives around 7,000 tons of Cavendish bananas, predominantly from Cameroon. The bananas are transported via conventional refrigerated ships, taking roughly ten days to arrive in Belgium, with a stop in Portsmouth, UK.

In addition to West African bananas, Eurofruitports also handles logistics for other fruits such as cherry tomatoes from Senegal and mangoes from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Simons notes that the quality of West African bananas is improving and becoming increasingly competitive, contributing to a positive growth trajectory for the French company Compagnie Fruitière, especially in 2024.

Upon arrival, Eurofruitports thoroughly inspects the products with the help of an advanced warehouse management system, ensuring traceability. The company, along with Kloosterboer and Lineage, plays a dominant role in banana transshipment in the North Sea, with the Antwerp logistics chain offering advantages over Vlissingen in the Netherlands.

Simons identifies two significant challenges: drug smuggling and rising labor costs. Even with West African shipping routes, drugs from South America occasionally enter European ports. Eurofruitports collaborates closely with federal police to address these issues. Moreover, staff shortages in Belgium pose a threat to global competitiveness, which Simons acknowledges may require an efficiency drive within the company.

Looking ahead, there is potential growth in organic produce; the volume of organic bananas has seen a substantial increase over the past decade, with Ghana and Ivory Coast making advancements in this sector. Simons expresses optimism for the future of their export operations, particularly in organic products.

For further details on Eurofruitports and their offerings, individuals can reach out via phone or email or visit their website.

In summary, Eurofruitports plays a vital role in the export of West African bananas to Europe, particularly to France and Eastern Europe, emphasizing quality improvements and competitive growth. Despite facing challenges, such as drug smuggling and labor costs, the company remains committed to efficiency and exploring opportunities in organic produce, demonstrating a forward-looking approach in the banana trade.

Original Source: www.freshplaza.com