In 2017, Bolivia increased the value of its banana exports to 39 million dollars in relation to 2016, according to the director of the National Fund for Integral Development (Fonadin), Erlan Oropeza.
The country exported 6.5 million boxes of bananas, each weighing 22 kilos, to the markets of Argentina (90%), Uruguay (7%), Chile (2%) and Peru (1%).
"Exports amounted to about 6.5 million 22-kilo boxes, which generated 39 million dollars in 2017, compared to the 35 million dollars achieved in 2016. This means that the producers achieved a greater profitability," he said.
According to Oropeza, the higher level of banana export mainly benefited the producers of the tropics of Cochabamba, where there are at least 1,300 people engaged in this activity.
However, this year there were losses in the banana production due to the rains, which producers expect to recover in the second semester.
According to the report from the Fonadin, the intense rains affected 500 hectares of banana production of more than 200 families in the tropics and led to a decrease in exports.
Based on the banana production cycle, production and exports of that product are expected to increase from August to December.
The Government will work on the construction of drainages in the banana growing areas to avoid losses caused by the rains, he added.
Source: paginasiete.bo