Argentina has launched a national campaign to improve the quality, competitiveness and production of tropical fruit, website Lanacion.com.ar reported.

The Federal Goverment announced the creation of the National Tropical Fruit Board, which is intended to stimulate pineapple, mango, avocado, banana and papaya production.

The launch was held at the fourth international fair of Argentine fruit in Formosa - Fruits 2011, bringing together producers from the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Tucuman, Santiago del Estero, Formosa, Chaco, Corrientes and Misiones.

Delegates heard how in the 1980s, 80% of the country's consumption of bananas was supplied by growers in the north of the country, whereas now Argentina relies mainly on Ecuadorian imports.

In 2010, Argentina imported  350,000 metric tons (MT) of bananas worth US$67 million surpassing its coffee and cocoa imports. Ecuador exported US$ 42 million followed by Bolivia (US$13 million) and Brasil (US$8 million).

Formosa's Agricultural Technology Validation Centre (CEDEVA) is exploring the latest genetic technology to increase fruit production, with bananas in particular.

www.freshfruitportal.com