MAGAP to define banana box price next Tuesday

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP for its acronym is Spanish), must define the cost of the banana box until next Tuesday since producers and exporters could not reach an agreement on the value of the fruit after international crisis caused a drop in prices.

Producers have asked to maintain the current price ($ 5.50) because it represents a 22% profit. They have also asked to consider the rising cost of inputs that the industry has made ​​in the last year. They affirm that if the official cost goes down, they will not be able to keep giving their employees the same benefits.

Meanwhile, exporters have asked that the value is $ 5.05 (11% profit for them).

(MS)