Luis Loor, President of the National Federation of Ecuadorean plantain producers (Fenaprope), stated that the price of a box of plantains for export had rebounded in the last three weeks because of the low production there was in summer.
Prices had increased to 10 and up to 11 dollars, surpassing the minimum reference price which is at 7.30 dollars, as indicated by the law.
Last weekend, producers were surprised when they charged for their boxes, as they expected to achieve a good price for their harvest and were only paid 8 dollars per box.
Measures
Representatives of the associations that make up Fenaprope met on Monday to analyze the situation faced by the sector.
Loor stated that producers had decided not to harvest the product yesterday so as to pressure intermediaries and the exporters.
The official said that harvest operations would continue today normally and they they would wait until the weekend to find out prices.
Producers have decided that, if the value paid for a box of plantain does not increase, they won't harvest any day next week, Loor said.
The leader of Fenaprope said that a 50 pounds box was being paid at approximately 24 dollars in the foreign market so producers shouldn't be paid less than 10 dollars for it.
He also said Fenaprope will be in permanent session to continue analyzing the situation.
Source: eldiario.ec