The Crop Portfolio : Fruits : Pineapples : Before the changing of the European preference for the “MD2” Ghana used to be one of the top exporters of the “Smooth Cayenne “sort ( P.Jaeger , 2009)
The European demand for the traditional Smooth Cayenne variety disappeared in a short time and simultaneously the requirement for EUREP GAP certification became widespread. The European market has chosen the MD2 pineapple sort , mostly produced by Costa Rica. ( P.Jaeger) Costa Rica has a large production of MD2, and is also a way more developed in terms of logistics/infra-structure production /packaging and is more market oriented than the Ghanaian producers.
Nowadays the Pineapple scenario is mostly controlled by Golden Exotics /Compagnie de Fruitiere and Blueskies. There are a lot of opportunities in the Pineapple export sector. Ghana has years of experience in exporting to the European market, and understands the market quite well ( P.Jaeger) however, most of the Ghanaian Pineapple is produced out of the WML´s Cold –Chain ´s range ( Volta Region). It might be interesting in investing on the In – Land transport / storage of the pineapple for the Ghanaian upcoming market.
Bananas : Banana production is virtually all controlled by the Golden Exotics . The output from the last five years is around 35,000 – 40,000 tonnes. Production Area : Bananas are virtually all produced in the Volta Region Quantity produced : Around 35,000 – 40,000 tonnes per year.
Possibilities for the use of a Cold Chain in Ghana 8