A recent article in Fresh Plaza online, points to the connection between tourism and the fresh fruits and vegetables for the North American and European markets.
Fresh Plaza makes the point that the Dominican Republic received 6.1 million air tourists in 2016, of which the US sent the most with 2.1 million, Canada sent 772,000, and the remaining 3 million from Spain, Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Russia.
“This means 67 non-stop flights from the Punta Cana airport alone to Europe, including 17 direct flights to Russia during the winter season,” highlights the reporter. The point is made that while Latin America and Caribbean may have direct flights to the United States and Canada, no one else has this level of non-stop connectivity to Europe.
The abundance of international freight connections translates into cargo space for Dominican mangos, Asian vegetables, aromatic herbs, pineapples, and avocados on direct flights to Europe. There they can arrive in a much fresher condition with longer shelf life.
“The Dominican pineapple starts off with a natural sweeter advantage because of a stronger sunlight regime in the field and a less than 24-hour transit time to its final destination, which makes sure it stays just as sweet,” says the reporter. “You’ll be pleasantly surprised if compare the taste of a delicious Dominican pineapple with a Costa Rican pineapple in a European supermarket.”
Fresh Plaza points out that as more South American tourists come to the Dominican Republic, South America fruit and vegetable competitors are starting to use Dominican airports for trans-shipping cargo to Europe. Dominican exporters are one among the very few countries that can export long beans to Europe because of its strong air freight connections that competitors don’t have. Long beans, need fast and fresh transport to preserve its freshness and quality, according to the report.
The US market also benefits. The US Department of Agriculture supported Exporta Calidad Program is helping Dominican exporters understand the different requirements of the European market including box sizes, certifications, and quality standards. The Exporta Calidad Program is working with Dominican exporters to develop a country source of origin branding for their produce.
Fresh Plaza explains that European tourists returning from the Dominican Republic have taken a liking to fresh Dominican produce as part of their meals.
Read more:
Fresh Plaza
17 August 2017
