Pro Ecuador, the nation’s fruit industry body, says it is actively pursuing new markets across the UK and other European countries for its goldenberries.
In the past three years, Ecuador has exported US$87.1m worth of exotic fruit – including goldenberries – to the European Union. Of that, fresh and dried goldenberries made up $2.2m.
Tjhe UK is a significant market for the fruit, $500,000 of dried goldenberries were sent to the UK in recent years. The move for Ecuador’s goldenberry sector means increased exports to the region, a part of the country’s ongoing efforts to expand its goldenberry business.
“We see considerable potential in the UK, as well as opportunities across the EU, for both fresh and dried goldenberries from Ecuador” says Juan Carlos Yépez Franco, Trade Commissioner of Ecuador for the Pro Ecuador Trade Office in London.
“Between May and July this year, Pro Ecaudor hosted five virtual B2B business events, during which 26 UK buyers expressed their intention to purchase over US$1.5m-worth of Ecuadorian fruit, including US$1.18m-worth of exotics.”
Tropical fruits from Ecuador have found footholds in the UK market and have strengthened ties with UK clients despite the unprecedented nature of the pandemic.
“Despite these unprecedented times, Ecuador and the UK have found ways to strengthen our bilateral trade during the global pandemic,” Franco says. “From January to May 2020, Ecuador’s fruit exports have risen by 22 percent and we are working hard to ensure this upward growth is maintained throughout 2020. Furthermore, this year the Ecuadorian National Assembly and President Lenin Moreno ratified the trade agreement between Ecuador, Colombia and Peru with the UK, which guarantees trade continuity between Ecuador and the UK.”
Leading goldenberry suppliers Terrafertil and Golden Sweet Spirit already export to Germany, Spain, France and the Netherlands. Golden Sweet Spirit is just one Ecuadorian goldenberry supplier that is increasing its production area with a view to expanding its export horizons.
“We wish to create a presence on markets like the UK, where, as a result of Brexit, we expect to launch in the near future,” says Dennis Brito Madrid, Director of Ecuador’s Non-Traditional Fruit Growers’ Association and Golden Sweet Spirit’s general manager, reveals. “Obviously, the pandemic has slowed our expectations but we remain on the right track. We see many opportunities to grow throughout Europe.”
A bright orange Andean fruit that is exotic by nature, goldenberries are distinguished by their unmistakable flavour, juiciness and aroma.
“This is a fruit with an incomparable flavour that starts with a sweet palate and ends with a delicate sour note,” Yépez Franco says.
Goldenberries are also considered a super fruit thanks to their high content of antioxidants, Vitamins A, B and C, calcium, zinc, potassium, fibre, and iron, according to independent studies.
“Goldenberries have more antioxidant capacity than apples, gojiberries, broccoli and pomegranate juice,” Brito Madrid says.
Ecuador supplies retailers, wholesalers and processors with a range of goldenberry products, including: fresh fruit, dried fruit, jams and frozen fruit.
