Bananas are currently the most widely produced fruit in Colombia. The country has around 114,377 hectares devoted to this product and Antioquia is its largest producer. This sector has shown steady growth, with production reaching 2.6 million tons in 2023, i.e. 2% over the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Manuel Laborde, president of Uniban, highlighted that the company has become a leading exporter by collaborating with rural entrepreneurs in the production process. Last year, Uniban, a 58-year-old cultivation and trading company from Urabá, Antioquia, achieved sales for $550 million and -with the closing exchange rate- close to US$610 million, depending on the exchange rate. It has also positioned itself as the world's fifth-largest banana exporter.
The company operates 26 farms totaling 33,400 hectares, with exclusivity on 17,000 hectares. Shareholders add 14,000 hectares, totaling 148 farms. Currently, Uniban exports between 700 and 800 containers per week. Unionization has played a key role in securing living wages for its workers, strengthening its position in the market.
90% of exports go to Europe and 9% to the United States. 95% of the production is destined for the international market and the remaining 5% is for the national market. Uniban prides itself on processing the entire banana harvest, not just the premium product. An investment of almost $800 million in the port of Antioquia aims to optimize the transport and marketing of this fruit.
Bananas are a highly sought-after product in markets such as Spain and New York. This year, Uniban expects its banana exports will amount to $580 million, experiencing a 30% growth. The company has experienced a 60% increase in profits over 2023 and anticipates a good performance in 2025, focusing on process optimization and reducing operating costs.
The Uniban Foundation, created in 1987, aims to improve the well-being of producers with a budget of 20,000 million pesos for loans, operational improvements, and housing. In addition, the Uniban Institute provides high-quality education and the foundation supports communities improving sports and school infrastructure. In Magdalena, the foundation helps 230 small-scale farmers to obtain the necessary certifications.
Source: agronegocios.co