The Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE), in a discussion panel with reporters, said that one of the main problems they face is the fee to be paid by importers in the European Union (EU) for each box of bananas, this while they await for the signing of the trade agreement between the Government and that block.
Eduardo Ledesma, president of the AEBE, said that 31% of Ecuadorian bananas is sent to the EU and added that currently a fee of $ 0.54 per box exported is paid, making the country less competitive before other producers like Colombia and Costa Rica.
Another problem is the inclusion of 50 tariff subheadings of products related to bananas, to which tariff surcharges were applied since March 11th, which, according to Ledesma, increases costs. He said they will submit a request for review of those subheadings.
