Banana exports grew 4.57% in the first quarter of 2023 thanks to Europe
Destinations such as Germany, Greece or the Netherlands demanded more of the product. By country, Russia continues to be the largest buyer.
A better start to the year for the banana sector. Exports of one of Ecuador’s star products, measured by boxes, grew 4.57% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec).

Banana exports have improved in the first quarter of 2023.
In total, 99.8 million boxes of bananas have been exported between January and March 2023, compared to 95.4 million in the same period last year.
The banana union indicates that the main increases in exports are reflected in the European Union with 25.15%; Russia with 10.62%; United States with 10.98%; United Kingdom with 30.64%.
For Richard Salazar, president of Acorbanec, he assured that the increase in markets such as the European or British is due to the fact that demand is high at this time of year. In addition, there is also a greater production by Ecuador.
On the other hand, there are reductions in exports in the Middle East with -19.53%, East Asia with -14.65%, Eastern Europe with -61.84%, especially due to the drastic reduction in exports to Ukraine because of the conflict with Russia, said Acorbanec; EFTA (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) with -12.49%; and Canada with -26.92%.
By country, Russia is the country to which the largest bananas have been allocated with a participation of 23.53%, in second place, the United States with 10.98%; in third place, the Netherlands with 7.93%; in fourth place, Turkey with 4.60%, in fifth place Germany with 4.76%.
In the case of companies, of the 99.86 million boxes of bananas exported from January to March 2023, the main exporter is the company Ubesa (DOLE) with a 10.02% share; in second place is Reybanpac with 7.09%; in third place is Noboa Trading C. with a 5.79% share; In fourth place is Comersur Cia. Ltda., with a 4.43% participation; in fifth place is Frutadeli SA with a 3.79% participation.





