Ecuador is the leading exporter of bananas in the world. Despite the impact of Covid-19, the Ecuadorian sector registered an increase in exports to Italy in January-September 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
"There is an increase of at least 10% in million tons of fruit, i.e. $58.19 million dollars for Ecuador. It is one of the main sectors in our country, which proved to comply with the new biosecurity regulations for all export processes," reports international business manager Francisco Mancero Miranda.
Banana exports from Ecuador to Italy, Jan-Sep 2019-2020
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| TON | 210.69 | 231.92 |
| FOB | 99.5 | 157.69 |
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador / TON: million tons- FOB: million dollars
With regards to logistical problems and the increase in transport costs, Mancero Miranda states that "logistic costs increased at the start of the pandemic due to the delays in the ports. However the situation has gone back to normal."
"The main port in Italy is Genoa and, through leading companies such as Chiquita, Del Monte, Dole and other small importers, the chain is supplied so that Ecuador's bananas reach Italian homes."