Papaya: a rising commodity in Ghana`s export business

A strategic investment in the commercial cultivation of papaya (paw paw) could boost the country's export earnings and contribute substantially to the country's economic growth, the Federation of Associations of Ghana Exporters (FAGE) has observed.

The President of the Association, Mr. Anthony Sikpa, noted that Ghana was endowed with all the natural conditions that could make her become a major producer and exporter of the tropical fruit, if appreciable practices were applied.

He said Ghana's geographical location offers a favourable climate for the production of the commodity, while Ghana's proximity to Europe was also a logistical advantage over major producing countries such as Brazil and Ecuador, who control 65% and 10% of the European market respectively.

Mr. Anthony Sikpa made these observations at a day's joint forum, organised by the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters and the Trade Investment Program for a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE) on the increasing potential of papaya in Ghana's export business in Accra last Tuesday.

The forum was to expose participants to the potential for papaya as a strong export commodity for Ghana, and recent developments along the supply chain to stimulate stakeholder interests for expanding the production base in Ghana.

Notable among the developments have been the successful introduction of golden papaya – a variety of papaya - which has led to increased yields from 45 metric tonne per hectare to 65-80 metric tonne per hectare.

FAGE however noted that the need for further investment in the sector was driven by the existing market opportunities, both on the local and export, and high returns on investment resulting from high yielding varieties.

Available figures provided by FAGE indicate that in 2008 the 15 core member states of the European Union imported 35,750 metric tonnes of papaya with a CIF value of 53million Euros. Out of this, Ghana's papaya amounted to 1,061 metric tonnes, representing a market share of only 3%.

Roland Adade, Head, Market Access Tteam of the Trade Investment Program for a Competitive Export Economy, said analysing the production of the tropical fruit from the world perspective, there was no reason why investment in its cultivation should not be exploited to boost the agricultural economy of the country.