Ecuador: satisfying banana market in Europe

Tholen - According to the Association of Ecuadorian Banana exporters AEBE, the market situation in Europe remains satisfactory. According to AEBE, the supplies from ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) remain 15% behind the average of the past 3 years and the demand stays at an optimal level. The availability of competing fruit also remains limited and temperatures are still favourable for the banana consumption.

Regarding week 11 one reported that in Germany several importers received slightly more than they bargained for, but this did not immediately affect the prices. The demand in the Benelux was strengthened by some special offers in yellow bananas and it is expected that prices will remain stable this week. IN Italy the market improved slightly compared to the first half of this month. Because of the low prices, several vessels were redirected to markets in the Mediterranean which featured more attractive prices. Furthermore, the weather conditions improved, which allowed for a slight recovery of the prices for green fruit.

In Poland the market is considerably better in comparison with Italy. The absence of spot fruit arrivals and good weather conditions offer the expectation that the situation will not change this week or the next. Russia remains a complex market with the large volumes that arrive there. Compared to the same week last year the stocks increased with 50%, but the market remains stable and it was not expected that the situation would change this week.

Publication date: March 29 2007
Author: André van der Wiel
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