Japan Liberalizes Import Duties on Indonesia’s Banana, Manggo

Tokyo - Japan has liberalized import duties on such Indonesian fruits as banana, manggo, and rose-apple as a follow-up to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with Jakarta in mid April 2007, an official said.
In the sixth round of EPA negotiations, Japan agreed to buy Indonesian fruits and assist Jakarta in overcoming fruit flies, Agricultural Attache at the Indonesian embassy in Japan, Pudjiatmoko, said here Tuesday.
He said Indonesian fruit producers must be able to benefit from the agreement by supplying quality fruits which meet the Japanese quality standards.
Banana was on the great demand in Japan, overtaking mandarin apple and orange which for the past few years dominated the Japanese public''s appetite, he said.
"The results of a recent study made in Japan show demand for apples fell, while demand for banana was on the increase," he said.
The increase in banana consumption based on the study conducted in 2004 was believed to have been caused by the low prices of banana, he said.
Japan is imposing tight regulations on imported fruits, particularly to prevent plant pests from attacking the local fruits. (Source:Antara010507)