The banana is the base of the economy of two Colombian regions: the Uraba, in Antioquia, and the Caribbean coast, specifically in the departments of Magdalena, La Guajira, and Cesar, the latter of which has had a remarkable growth during the last years.
The opening of new markets and derivative products, the large increases in hectares sown, the better quality achieved, and the increase in exports have improved the sector’s panorama.
According to data from the Colombian Banana Association (Augura), in 2017 the total area planted with bananas for export in the country was 49,307 hectares, i.e. 2,035 hectares more than in 2016.
Exports of this fruit also increased: in the first four months of this year, the country’s banana exports amounted to 338.4 million dollars, i.e. 8 percent more than the 313.5 million dollars achieved in the same period of 2017.
The department of Magdalena, one of the three departments of the Caribbean coast where this product is grown, accounts for nearly 40 percent of the production.
This product is of such importance in Magdalena that this department has a banana cluster, in which 13 companies participate and which is led by the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Marta.
In addition, banana production in the region is responsible for generating more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in 800 farms, distributed in 6 municipalities.
In La Guajira, banana represents 36 percent of the department's permanent crops. "La Guajira is the main productive region of organic bananas in the country and has more than 2,000 hectares destined to cultivate and export this product,” said Restrepo Gomez.
A star in the European Union
According to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, the European Union is the main destination for the Colombian banana, as almost 80 percent is sent there. It is followed by the United States with a 17.5 percent share. Other markets include Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland.
Additionally, Argentina opened its market to the Colombian banana this year so producers can start exporting it to that market. According to the former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Maria Lorena Gutierrez, this will help promote the diversification of the export basket policy, which has allowed opening more markets for different Colombian goods, such as beef, Hass avocado, pineapple, and the pitahaya.
Source: eltiempo.com