Banana producers and exporters from Ecuador and five other countries ask to discuss the increase in costs in the fruit value chain
That the increase in costs in the value chain of bananas such as fertilizers, cardboard and plastic be discussed, as well as the increase in maritime freight is what producers and exporters of Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and the Dominican Republic ask to discuss. Costa Rica, which represent 60% of global banana production.
Through a statement, signed by the Banana Cluster of Ecuador, it is mentioned that in the banana industry input costs have risen between 30% and 45%. For example, in fertilizers from 35% to 45%, cardboard at 30% and plastic at 45%.
He points out that another factor is the application of the standards imposed by a certified market, the adoption of biosafety measures to prevent R4T FOC and the implementation of security measures to avoid contamination of containers with illegal substances.
The union indicates that there is a general increase in the cost of maritime freight up to 62% due to the global shortage of containers, the structuring of operational alliances between shipping lines and the consolidation of this sector.
“These costs have a direct and negative impact on the economic sustainability and competitiveness of the banana industry, which has suffered incalculable damage due to the increasing occurrence of natural phenomena in the region and has not been immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, having to implement all necessary measures to safeguard global food security and protect the health of agricultural workers, ”the letter says.
And he adds that another reality is the decrease in the price of bananas in 2021. They qualify as the “most catastrophic in the last ten years, reaching 10 euros for 18.5 kilos.”
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According to the Ecuadorian Banana Cluster, more than 808,000 families in Latin America directly depend on the banana industry.
“It is necessary that, within the framework of the concept of shared responsibility, these crucial aspects are discussed to ensure the commitment of all stakeholders to the sustainability of the global banana industry,” says the statement. (I)