As of 1 January 2025, plantain producers in Ecuador who are currently paid $7.31 per box of plantains they export, will receive $7.50 for each box. This decision was made after a socialization with exporters in Guayaquil. It's a modest increase, but it's generated expectations among farmers, who expect the National Government will comply with the agreements.
The National Federation of Plantain Producers of Ecuador (Fenaprope) had initially proposed an increase to $8.50 per box, but the exporting guild didn't accept this suggestion. Jesús Mariana Andrade, president of Fenaprope, said that, despite the high costs of maintaining the plantations, the new price is expected to contribute to the financing of fertilizers and other inputs necessary for production.
Producers in El Carmen, Ecuador's plantain capital, are concerned about the growth of activity in neighboring areas and other countries, which could increase the saturation of bananas in the international market. Andrade stressed the need to improve the quality of the product to remain competitive at the global level.
The Dominico plantain will be mainly allocated for the domestic market. René Segura, a local producer, said that a large cluster currently sells for $4. However, there are concerns that prices may decrease in the first quarter of 2025 due to high production and weather fluctuations.
Source: lahora.com.ec