In January of this year, Peruvian banana exports lagged behind exports of the same month last year. Peru exported 13,111 tons worth $9.9 million, i.e. 14% less volume and 17% less value than in the same month last year. The decrease in value was due to the drop in export volume and a 3% fall in average price, which stood at $0.76 per kilogram.
Competition was fierce, especially from Ecuador, the largest banana exporter, which remains free of Fusarium Race 4 Tropical. Since 2021, this fungus has damaged Peruvian plantations and limited the production area, as no new plantations can be carried out in the affected areas. To address this issue, the government has set up a working group to tackle the phytosanitary crisis via Ministerial Resolution No.0301-2024-MIDAGRI.
Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement to combat Fusarium Tropical Race 4 using innovative techniques. Banana cultivation is of great importance to many small-scale growers in the north of the country.
The main destination markets in January were the Netherlands with a 35% share, 4,596 tons worth $3.5 million, and an average price of $0.76 per kilogram; the United States with a 19% share, 2,664 tons worth $1.9 million and an average price of $0.72 per kilogram; Belgium with a 9% share, 1,252 tons worth $925,000 ($0.74 per kilogram); Panama with an 8% share, 1,097 tons, $796,000, and an average price of $0.73 per kilogram; and Italy with an 8% share, 1,069 tons worth $783,000, and an average price of $0.73 per kilogram.
Source: freshfruit.pe