According to the Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE), in 2024, Ecuador -the world's leading banana exporter- exported 346.16 million forty-pound boxes of bananas, i.e. 1.42% or 5.06 million boxes more than in 2023.
It was a challenging year for the sector due to adverse weather conditions, logistical obstacles, and local factors such as energy rationing and insecurity. Despite this, exports increased. This increase was driven by higher shipments to the European Union (3.18%), the United States (24.85%), Southern Cone (12.95%), Eastern Europe (30.05%), Asia (4.92%), and EFTA countries (24.50%).
However, exports to Russia (-11.54%), the Middle East (-6.66%), Central Asia (-11.7%), and the United Kingdom (-11.12%) decreased. The European Union continued to be the main destination for Ecuadorian bananas in 2024, with a 29.03% share. Exports to the EU rose by 3.26 million boxes, reaching 105.71 million boxes.
Malta, France, Italy, and Germany showed the largest increases, with an additional 8.27 million boxes. 1.09 million more boxes were exported to Asia, with South Korea growing by an outstanding 220.9%, with an additional 2.98 million boxes.
In contrast, exports to Russia fell by 8.75 million boxes. Despite this fall, it remains the second most important destination with an 18.42% share. Exports to China fell by 2.3 million boxes (-14.96%), despite the growth expectations following a free trade agreement.
The sector faced international challenges such as the drought in Panama and conflicts in the Red Sea, which affected shipping flows. Locally, insecurity and energy rationing affected transport and the continuity of productive activities. In the second half of the year, low temperatures and droughts in the province of El Oro reduced supply for several weeks.
Source: efeagro.com