The opening of the Brazilian market to Ecuadorian bananas has raised concerns amongst producers from Minas Gerais, in Brazil, who fear the spread of exotic pests to their crops and the fruit's devaluation. The industry is committed, along with the federal government, to enforce restrictions on the purchase of bananas from Ecuador, such as the establishment of tariffs and fees. Minas Gerais produces around 732,600 tonnes of bananas per year; 10% of the national production.
According to the executive director of the Central Fruit Growers Association of Northern Mines (Abanorte), Ivanete Pereira, the decision to import bananas was taken by President Dilma Rousseff.
"The president worries about helping countries like Ecuador and forgets the needs of Brazilian producers. In the region of Minas Gerais we face many problems, including issues in the production flow, which is hampered by the lack of paved roads and proper road maintenance. Additionally, costs in Brazil are very high, jeopardising the competitiveness of our production," says the director.
Ecuadorian banana imports have not yet started, but depend only on regulations being approved by the Civil House (Presidency). The phytosanitary rules for import were published in March by the Secretariat of Agricultural Protection, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supplies (MAPA), in the Federal Official Journal.
"The sector is seeking solutions to prevent the Civil House from regulating imports. If we fail, we will ask the Government to establish, at least, a minimum entry criteria for the product to be able to access the Brazilian market," they say.
Source: Diário do Comércio