In 2023, Dominican banana exports were affected by high temperatures and pests, representing an additional challenge for producers who are still recovering from the damage caused by the hurricanes that hit the country eight years ago. According to the Central Bank, foreign sales up until September of last year reached 179.7 million dollars, i.e. 28.6% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.
This return barely reached 43.7% of the total recorded in 2022, when international purchases totaled 320.8 million dollars. It is also below the 294 million dollars annual average that the sector reached in the last decade.
The European Union, the main market for Dominican bananas, reduced its imports by 27% until November 2023, going from 243,028 tons in 2022 to 177,136 tons. This decrease is attributed to a pest, the Eriophyoidea mite, which seriously affected plantations nationwide, causing deformations in the leaves and affecting the quality of the fruit.
Last year's weather issues, which included high temperatures that made it difficult for plants to oxygenate, caused early ripening problems and claims from buyers worth 7 million dollars due to the deterioration of the fruit. In addition, the number of weekly containers sent to Europe decreased from 450 to 190.
"What worries us the most is the loss of the market," said the coordinator of Organic Agriculture for the Banelino company, Gustavo Gandini, who stated that the Dominican Republic was a pioneer and leader, for many years, in the sale of organic bananas in the world. Producers fear that competitors such as Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, or Guatemala will occupy the space that the Dominican banana had in the international market. Gandini highlighted the need for policies that boost productivity, such as seedlings that are more resistant to climate change and pests, improvements in land cover, and biological diversity on plantations.
The Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Bank, and Adobanano are collaborating on a proposal for the Government to allocate special funds of 6,000 million pesos over two years, to renew 3,144 hectares of bananas, maintain 12,576 hectares, and invest in research and training for the sector.
In addition, proposals are considered such as extending financing to producers so they can acquire certified products for the treatment of specific pests and diseases of organic bananas, as well as a one-year grace period for those with debts. Last December, the Ministry of Agriculture granted 70 million pesos for the purchase of fertilizers and 54 million pesos for pesticides.
Source: diariolibre.com