In the last two years production has reported growth rates of 40%, reflecting the increase in the number of producers.

In the area there are currently some 20,000 producers, and according to grower Luciano Reyes the figure will rise as areas for the cultivation of bananas are being devoted to the cultivation of African palm. "Due to the situation being experienced by banana, many people are stopping growing it and are turning to sowing African palms."

"Other factors causing a rebound in production, and therefore in exports, are the good prices being obtained per ton of palm oil on the international market.

"Currently a ton (of the product) is priced at 3,300 lempiras ($174) on the international market, this is motivating for us and we expect prices to remain high", said Reyes to La Prensa.hn.

Source: laprensa.hn

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