While the number of victims continues to rise and the most affected areas by this natural event are Manabi, Pedernales and Esmeralda, the current state of the agricultural crops remains uncertain. It is worth noting that these provinces are mainly producers of coffee, corn, shrimp and passion fruit and other fruits, and that they also have important fishing ports. "So far, we have no exact data on the damage caused by the earthquake. We are working hard in the gathering of all information to determine the actual impact on the crops and to find out which are the most affected sectors. We are in the process of analysing and defining the damaged hectares," confirmed the representative of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture (MAGAP) to FreshPlaza.
More than 90% of the country's banana producers are based in the regions of Guayas, Los Ríos and El Oro, areas which, fortunately, have not been severely affected by the earthquake registered on 16 April. For this reason, business activities continue normally, without any hindrance. "The banana sector is continuing its activities as usual. Fortunately, the earthquake has not affected the dams and there has been no water displacement. The main ports, Bolivar and Guayaquil, are active and have not suffered major damage, so our shipments are leaving without delay. We are optimistic and hope no aftershocks will continue to affect us," affirms Eduardo Ledesma García, director of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE).