Ecuador exported 60% more pitahaya in 2021, reported the Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad). Is about 17,895 tons of the fruit that were shipped in 5,975 trips certified by the agency. In 2020 they were exported 11,260 tons.
Municipality of Palora assumes fee collection for pitahaya, which will finance fruit fly monitoring
The fruit was shipped to around 27 countries around the world; The United States being the largest destination market, with just over 84%, followed by Colombia and Singapore with 5.4 and 2.7%, respectively.
At the moment there are phytosanitary requirements for the export of this fruit to 54 countries.
Agrocalidad reported that as of December 31, 2021, 2,051 pitahaya production sites for export are registered, located in 21 provinces nationwide.
Morona Santiago has 65% of these registered production sites, followed by Manabí with 8% and Pichincha with 5.5%.
Pitahaya processing and export plant works in Rocafuerte, Manabí
These production sites are monitored to avoid the presence of fruit flies as part of the Operational Work Plan signed between Ecuador and the United States, which also requires that all fruit exported to their country from ours be processed within collection centers registered and approved as pest exclusion structures.
The Agency has 167 collection centers that meet these conditions, distributed in 9 provinces: Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (2), Pastaza (2), Cotopaxi (3), Tungurahua (4), Los Ríos (7), Manabí (12 ), Guayas (15), Pichincha (42) and Morona Santiago (80).
Source: Eluniverso
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