"The Philippines is now the world’s No. 3 banana producer and we owe it to the banana growing province of Davao del Norte, the increase in their production has made this possible," the President said during a multi-sectoral assembly held here in Tagum City in celebration of the 35th founding anniversary of the province.
Costa Rica ranks No. 1 followed by Ecuador, the Philippines and Colombia. Other countries have also emerged as new producers such as Indonesia and Thailand as well as Vietnam.
At least 30,000 hectares have been planted into bananas in Southern Mindanao, with the plantations run by companies such as Lapanday Corp., Tagum Agricultural Development Corp. (Tadeco), Stanficlo, Marsman Drysdale Corp., Hijo Plantation, Inc. and AMS Corp.
Individual independent growers have also contributed to the production of banana in the region that has reportedly reached over $300 million as of last year.
The President also expressed hope that the country will go up in rank as one of the world’s top banana producers, particularly when the Australia and China markets would start opening up.
Mrs. Arroyo said she has issued instructions for the country’s agriculture attache at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra to work hard in facilitating the ultimate entry of the product into the discriminating Australian market.
However, news reports from Sydney yesterday said the Australian government was recommending a ban on the importation of bananas from the Philippines due to quarantine concerns.
But the President was also looking forward to the expected dominance of Philippine bananas in China, considered to be the biggest market in the world.
"By that time that we will be able to get into these two markets, Australia and China, we will hopefully be going to be No.2 if not No.1 producer of banana in the world," the President added.
At present, Philippine bananas find their way to Japan, its existing biggest market, as well as to Korea, Hong Kong, Russia and the Middle East.
The Davao City-based Philippine Banana Growers Association (PBGEA) has been working on finding new markets for the agricultural produce after finding stiff competition from new emerging producers such as Indonesia.