According to estimates, Colombian agricultural exports surpassed $8 billion in 2023. Bananas were one of the main export products. José Francisco Zúñiga, president of Asbama, spoke about the current situation of the banana sector, especially in regions such as Magdalena and La Guajira, where the Santa Marta port activity is crucial for the export of about 50,000 containers of bananas.
"Last year, Colombia exported about 900,000 tons of bananas. Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira accounted for 50% of those exports. From 2022 to 2023, exports increased by 20%," Zúñiga said. "The United States was the main destination market with a 32% share. It was followed by Belgium (28%), the United Kingdom, and Germany. The European Union is a very important market, with regulations that require us to take measures to continue to be sustainable."
"Bananas have the particularity that only one variety is marketed. We would like to have other varieties for export, but today the market only accepts the Cavendish type, so it's the only one that is produced," stated the president of Asbama. The most productive areas, he says, are in the municipalities of the Zona Bananera, which holds 12,000 of the country's 19,000 hectares of bananas. The banana sector is characterized by its formality and employs 19,000 workers in four departments.
He also said that the environmental challenges they face are significant: "We found that 50% of the water is lost through filtration, we need the government to help with measures to improve infrastructure and a better environmental culture."
In addition, international banana prices have not increased for more than a decade. "Market demands have increased the cost of labor by 45%, but the investment is not reflected in market prices in Europe," Zúñiga said.
Security is also a problem, as producers are threatened and extorted, although closed monitoring systems have been implemented on all farms.
Source: agronegocios.co