The largest banana convention kicks off with Ecuador's call for unity

Guayaquil, Ecuador, Oct. 24 (EFE).- The 21st edition of "Banana Time," the largest international convention for the banana industry, opened with a call for unity from Ecuador, the world's leading exporter of the fruit, to tackle global challenges such as low supermarket prices in Europe, phytosanitary threats, and the security of the logistics chain.

"Banana Time," held annually in Guayaquil by the Ecuadorian Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE), which represents more than 70% of Ecuador's total banana export volume, runs from October 23 to 25, featuring keynote speeches, trade exhibitions, and a culinary contest showcasing dishes with bananas as the key ingredient.

During the convention's opening late Tuesday, AEBE President Jorge Encalada said he believed that “the key to overcoming these challenges lies in the unity and joint efforts of all actors in the production chain."

"The future of bananas depends on our ability to remain united," Encalada stressed.

At the national level, Ecuador's banana sector is facing a difficult time due to the country’s energy crisis, which has led to power outages of up to ten hours a day, and a severe security crisis fueled by the rise of organized crime gangs.

Added to this are international challenges such as geopolitical instability and diseases affecting banana plants, like Fusarium TR4 and bacterial Moko.

There are also new sustainability regulations, such as those from the European Union (EU), Ecuador’s main banana export market, which require producers and exporters to invest in compliance. Encalada stressed that these regulations must be applied consistently.

"We will not allow our producers to be treated unfairly. Supermarkets, as key players in the chain, must commit to not using bananas as a loss leader, sending the wrong message to consumers and undervaluing the efforts demanded of us," he said, referring to recent cases in European supermarkets.

Demands for fair compensation for producers

Encalada stressed the need for the new market requirements imposed on producer countries to be compensated with the true cost of sustainability. "We can't have a green pact with red numbers," he noted.

He highlighted the unity achieved in Latin America through the Latin American Joint Task Force, which, since 2020, has brought together export associations from Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, and Colombia to confront these challenges with buyer countries. Meanwhile, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica are also collaborating on solutions to combat Fusarium.

"Together, we can develop solutions that mitigate crises and promote sustainable growth. I believe that formality in the sector is essential to face the challenges of our main markets," Encalada said.

"This event reflects our sector's persistence in maintaining jobs and foreign exchange for our country by producing and exporting sustainable bananas and paying fair wages, despite local and international challenges," he added.

Ecuador’s flagship product

Also attending the inauguration was Ecuador's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Danilo Palacios, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving full formality in the banana sector, as "bananas are the country's flagship product," reaching dozens of countries worldwide.

Palacios also highlighted Ecuador's significant presence at the recent international fair "Fruit Attraction," held in Madrid, where Ecuadorian bananas were among the top products on display, and the country won the award for best exhibition stand.

The inaugural event was also attended by Ecuador's Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries, Luis Alberto Jaramillo; the EU Ambassador to Ecuador, Jekaterina Dorodnova; the French Ambassador to Ecuador, Philippe Létrilliart; the prefect of the Ecuadorian province of Guayas, Marcela Aguiñaga; and the prefect of Los Ríos, Johnny Terán, along with other local authorities.

The banana industry is one of the driving forces of Ecuador's economy, contributing more than $3.5 billion annually to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and generating 250,000 direct jobs. In 2023, Ecuador's banana exports were primarily directed to the EU (28.42%), Russia (21.12%), the Middle East (16.65%), and the United States (9.08%). EFE

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EFE collaborated with AEBE in the production of this content.

Photo provided by the Ecuadorian Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE) showing its board president, Jorge Encalada (center); Ecuador’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Danilo Palacios (fifth from left); Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries, Luis Alberto Jaramillo (second from right); Prefect of Guayas Province, Marcela Aguiñaga (fifth from right); Prefect of Los Ríos Province, Johnny Terán (fourth from left); and the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ecuador, Jekaterina Doródnova (far right), among others, posing at the inauguration of the "Banana Time" convention in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE/AEBE

Photo provided by the Ecuadorian Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE) showing its board president, Jorge Encalada, speaking during the inauguration of the "Banana Time" convention in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE/AEBE

Photo provided by the Ecuadorian Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE) showing Ecuador’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Danilo Palacios, during the inauguration of the "Banana Time" convention in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE/AEBE