The forecast for the banana industry is not encouraging for the first months of 2016 as it states that this year's volumes will be similar to those reported last year.
According to the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH), by January 2016, exports of this fruit totaled 33.9 million dollars, which represents an annual decline of 1.6 million dollars.
This decrease is the result of a 17.4% decline in demand in the international market, despite there being a 15.5% increase in banana prices.
"We need a dynamic state leadership that has the vision to assess what strategies to follow so that the banana sector continues in the market," said Hector Castro, director of the National Association of Banana Producers (Aprobana).
According to Castro, banana production will remain at 34 million boxes because of the effects of El Niño.
"Hopefully, we'll achieve a production similar to the one we had last year. I've visited banana farms and they don't project a level of productivity to change my mind," he said.
The United States is the main buyer of their product. Banana exports in 2015 amounted to 505 million dollars, i.e. a 49 million dollar increase over the previous year.
Source: laprensa.hn