Sumitomo Fruit to expand Philippine banana plantations

A Japanese fruit exporter will expand its local banana plantations to increase its foreign shipments. Sumitomo Fruits Corp. Philippines (Sumifru), which plants bananas in North and South Cotabato and Davao City, will expand its plantation by 1,320 hectares, bringing the total area to 7,381 hectares. This was disclosed by Paul Cuyegkeng, Sumifru Chief Executive Officer, in an April 22 letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Currently, its banana plantation cover 6,061 hectares, higher than the 4,000 hectare area it started with in 2006. Sumifru, a subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Corp., also plans to expand their pineapple plantation by 2,000 hectares this year, from the current 165 hectare property. The company has allotted a separate 160 hectares have been allotted for papaya. Sumifru is also putting up a special agro-industrial zone in Davao City to further hike its banana and vegetable exports. Its banana, pineapple, and papaya products are exported to Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Middle East, Hong Kong and China. Similarly, investments has also tripled to P12.7 billion from P4.867 billion. Employees have also reached 20,806 from 12,050 during the past four years. “We want to thank Your Excellency for creating a very positive atmosphere for business thru a grand economic vision and strong leadership, and thereby allowing Sumifru to operate in an environment conducive for investments and growth," said Cuyegkeng. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV