Dragon fruit processing and export plant works in Rocafuerte, Manabí

This collection and production center generates direct marketing between the producer and the exporter

The intention is to put an end to the intermediation between pitahaya producers and exporters, and this is how the representatives of the companiesEcuador Divineand companyEl Okasoannounced that in the La Papaya community, on the Rocafuerte-Tosagua road, the first plant for the collection, processing and export of this fruit in Manabí was installed.

Olvin Intriago, owner of the company El Okaso,indicates that the production of this tropical fruit per hectare in Manabí could reach an average of40.000 kilosof this widely consumed product in the United States, Europe and already in some Asian nations. He estimates that a million kilos of pitahaya could be packed monthly in this new processing plant.

of this widely consumed product in the United States, Europe and already in some Asian nations. He estimates that a million kilos of pitahaya could be packed monthly in this new processing plant.

Ecuador Divine's investor is the North American Yordan Grey, who opted to export this fruit from Manabí, for the quality and the entire process of managing the pitahaya production chain, whose flavor is unique, he said.

Ecuador Divine's investor is the North American Yordan Grey, who opted to export this fruit from Manabí, for the quality and the entire process of managing the pitahaya production chain, whose flavor is unique, he said.

¨In the United States and Canada, pitahaya has been segmented into white, red and yellow. The consumption of white pitahaya in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries is higher than the rest”, indicates a statement from Proecuador issued in June of this year.

Intriago appreciates that now the producers of the fruit can deliver this plant without having intermediaries. According to Juan Vera, president of Ecuador Divine, this company in 2020 exported some 18 million dollars in fruits such as pitahaya, passion fruit, granadalina, soursop, cocoa, tree tomato, sweet cucumber and other products, and for this year the figures for the sale of these products abroad are expected to increase.

Magdalena Zambrano, a resident of the La Papaya commune, said that these work spaces are necessary in the midst of a critical economic situation in the world, and where having a job in rural areas is even more complicated.

Magdalena Zambrano, a resident of the La Papaya commune, said that these work spaces are necessary in the midst of a critical economic situation in the world, and where having a job in rural areas is even more complicated.

Magdalena Zambrano, a resident of the La Papaya commune, said that these work spaces are necessary in the midst of a critical economic situation in the world, and where having a job in rural areas is even more complicated.Magdalena Zambrano, a resident of the La Papaya commune, said that these work spaces are necessary in the midst of a critical economic situation in the world, and where having a job in rural areas is even more complicated.He pointed out that at the moment this entity reviews the entire phytosanitary process of the production of this fruit, he indicated that to date some 120 certifications have already been delivered for the cultivation of some 600 hectares of the fruit not only in Rocafuerte, but also in Chone, El Carmen and Jipijapa, but acknowledges that Rocafuerte has 40% of the total hectares certified for the cultivation of what is also known as dragon fruit.

He pointed out that at the moment this entity reviews the entire phytosanitary process of the production of this fruit, he indicated that to date some 120 certifications have already been delivered for the cultivation of some 600 hectares of the fruit not only in Rocafuerte, but also in Chone, El Carmen and Jipijapa, but acknowledges that Rocafuerte has 40% of the total hectares certified for the cultivation of what is also known as dragon fruit.

But not only pitahaya attracts investment in Rocafuerte, but also banana and shrimp producers from the northern area of ​​Manabí, who intend to invest, according to Patricio Zambrano, mayor of this canton. "We will provide facilities for companies to settle in this canton and create jobs, we will provide facilities such as improving roads in rural areas and providing water," Zambrano said.