Business · Trade · 7 hrs ago
Australian Ecoganic bananas begin regular exports to Japan
Far North Queensland farmers are exporting Ecoganic bananas to Japan in regular shipments for the first time.
The accredited farming system was pioneered in Innisfail about 20 years ago by Frank and Dianne Sciacca, and uses natural ecosystems and minimal inputs.
The bananas are shipped every two weeks in 1,200-kilogram loads and are marked with red wax on their tips.
Japanese importer Tomoki Tokuda says customers value the farming story, taste and quality, and feedback so far has been excellent.
They are sold in two supermarkets and 60 restaurants in Japan, while importers work to expand sales.
The importer hopes to raise shipments to 3,000 kilograms every two weeks within three years, but the farmers may need more growers to meet demand.
Separately, Ecoganic papayas from North Queensland have been sent to Melbourne, with their producer hoping eventually to export them too.
Australian Ecoganic bananas have begun regular exports to Japan after months of trials and market testing.
Shipments of 1,200 kilograms are arriving every fortnight, with the first regular imports beginning on October 23.
The farming system was pioneered by Innisfail farmers Frank and Dianne Sciacca in Far North Queensland about 20 years ago.
Japanese importer Tomoki Tokuda said feedback had been excellent and hopes to increase imports to 3,000 kilograms within three years.
The bananas are sold in two Japanese supermarkets and served in 60 restaurants across the country.
- Who
- Australian Ecoganic banana growers, working with Japanese importer Tomoki Tokuda.
- What
- Regular exports of Ecoganic bananas to Japan have begun.
- When
- The fortnightly imports began on October 23; the year is not stated.
- Where
- The bananas are grown in Far North Queensland and sold in Japan.
- Why
- Japanese consumers are interested in the farming story, taste and quality, according to the importer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Innisfail farmers Frank and Dianne Sciacca pioneered the Ecoganic farming system in Far North Queensland.
Ecoganic bananas began regular exports to Japan.
Fortnightly imports of 1,200 kilograms began.
- Shipment size
- 1,200 kilograms every fortnight
- Import start
- October 23
- Growth target
- 3,000 kilograms within three years
- Japanese retail outlets
- Two supermarkets, one in Kanto and one in Hokkaido
- Restaurants
- 60 restaurants across Japan
What people are saying
They care more about the farming story, taste and quality than just the price.
Japanese consumers are very interested in special farming methods, and they have high expectations for taste and quality.
I think that was a very important part of us being able to get our product into Japan.