The banana industry of Ecuador is aspiring to produce and export more bananas in 2024, with figures similar to those of 2021, during pre-Covid times. “This will be achieved more quickly, not only through increased exports and production, but also because the Trade Agreements with China and South Korea will come into force, and the European Union, we hope, will continue to increase its purchases, as well as Russia, as happened in 2023,” says Ing. Richard Salazar, executive director of Ecuador’s Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec).
He claims that, as an industry, Ecuador has moved the shared responsibility aims forward on all platforms. “Ecuador has been complying with the policies of the Green Deal, especially the Farm to Fork pillar, adapting our production system to these demands, which has generated higher costs and less productive efficiency; as well as paying the living wage verified by the Global Decent Wage Coalition, GIZ and Fairtarde. In addition to which, we have the dollar as a currency, helping workers to maintain their purchasing power. We have also increased gender equity in the banana industry, especially in the administrative and packaging areas; as well as certifying more banana hectares, with the Rainforest Alliance, fairtrade, etc. All of the above have generated more costs and expenses for the banana producing and exporting sector in Ecuador and Latin America. On the other hand, less has been paid for a box of bananas by the European Union, going from 14.2 euros CIF in 2015 to 11.40 CIF in 2022.”
This is why we created a Latin American coalition, led by Ecuador. “This is to inform the above that the sustainability of Latin American banana production, while export and food sovereignty in the European Union itself is at risk, due to this policy of paying low prices foe a box of bananas. It should be noted that in 2023 we have been heard by supermarkets, such as Aldi, that paid more for our bananas, and that policy, I am sure, will be maintained in 2024. We hope that the other supermarket chains will join this decision,” hopes Salazar.
He says they hope to continue marketing Ecuador’s banana industry on all fronts during the year. With a new government in place he hopes the FTA with China will start soon in 2024. “We expect it to come into force in 2024, and we have great expectations of increasing our exports. At the end of 2022, for example, 200 thousand tons were exported, and with this agreement we aspire to double exports to China in 2024, not only because of the tariff reduction, but also because the Philippines, its main supplier, continues to have production problems, due to phytosanitary aspects (Fusarium race 4. Sigatoka etc.), which has led to a reduction in its exportable production. They could even increase much more in the next three years,” concludes Salazar.
For more information:
Richard Salazar
Acorbanec
Tel. +593 42136348
Email: [email protected]
www.acorbanec.com