Although Ecuador produces a wide range of fruits and vegetables, the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE) points out that bananas are the country's flagship product. In February 2025, Ecuador exported 66.32 million boxes of bananas, maintaining its global leadership despite a slight decrease of -0.72% compared to the same period in 2024. An AEBE delegation will be present at the Macfrut exhibition in Rimini (6-8 May).
"Ecuador mainly exports bananas," says AEBE, "the main agricultural product of our country. In February 2025, Ecuador exported a total of 66.32 million boxes of bananas. This figure represents a decrease of 0.72% compared to the same period in 2024, which is largely due to the restrictions imposed on exports to Algeria, resulting in a loss of 2.39 million boxes. The suspension of export licenses to Algeria had a significant negative impact on the overall growth of the industry, despite strong performances in the main markets, such as the United States (+28.30%) and Russia (+18.49%)."
"In Asia, while China increased its imports by 2.49 per cent, total exports to the region went down by 3.67 per cent due to a drop in demand from Japan (-14.59 per cent) and South Korea (-7.54 per cent). In the European Union, the sector recorded a slight growth of 1.41 per cent, with positive results in destinations such as the Netherlands (+4.87 per cent) and France (+128.05 per cent), which helped offset declines in Germany, Italy, and Spain. In order to maintain and expand the presence of Ecuadorian bananas in key markets such as the United States and the European Union, AEBE has consolidated its relationships with national authorities and industry allies, ensuring that the technical and political follow-up of trade measures affecting the sector continues to be closely monitored. It is also one of the cross-cutting priorities on our institutional agenda within the global context of increasing threats to safety."
"At a national scale, difficult weather conditions have affected production. Despite a slight improvement in temperatures, they were still lower than in 2024. Higher rainfall levels required increased irrigation and drainage operations, and the average weekly bagging rate (a measure of production) in February 2025 was lower compared to the previous year (40.46 vs. 41.68 bags per ha). Despite the challenges, Ecuador's banana export sector continues to demonstrate resilience and strategic adaptability, maintaining a strong presence in traditional markets and working to diversify its global reach."
The main companies that will be present at Macfrut and what they are aiming for at the trade fair
Reybanpac aims to establish new export agreements and expand the international presence of its premium bananas, with a strong focus on connecting with retailers throughout Europe, especially Italy, which is a priority market. Reybanpac, known worldwide under the Favorita brand, offers conventional and organic bananas. With nearly five decades of experience and a reputation built through more than 50 customers on four continents, including Russia, the European Union, China, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, the company has a long-standing commitment to quality and reliability. A key competitive advantage is the company's logistics infrastructure. In particular, Reybanpac's European office in the Netherlands allows the company to efficiently handle import and distribution in Europe. This facility ensures traceability and better service, allowing buyers to benefit from direct trade with the producer.
Agzulasa seeks to establish meaningful business relationships with importers, distributors, and retail chains that are in line with its values of quality and sustainability. The company is particularly interested in connecting with buyers who appreciate high-quality products and are looking for long-term strategic partnerships in the fresh fruit sector. The company offers conventional and organic bananas grown under strict environmental and quality standards. With certifications such as Global G.A.P., Organic, Rainforest Alliance, GRASP, BASC, and Carbon Neutral, Agzulasa offers products that meet the growing demands of European consumers for traceability, sustainability, and social responsibility. What sets Agzulasa apart is its fully controlled value chain (from certified farms to export-ready packaging) that guarantees consistent quality, excellent taste, and long shelf life. Its customized approach and ability to offer tailor-made solutions make it a reliable partner for buyers looking for reliable and adaptable suppliers.
Friendly Organic Foods is a family-owned company based in Ecuador, dedicated to creating healthy snacks that respect the body, people, and planet. The company is known for its line of clean-label dehydrated fruit snacks, but is also proud to export fair-trade organic bananas, a cornerstone of its offering. These products reflect their commitment to ethical and environmental practices throughout the production chain. Being a part of Macfrut is an important opportunity for Friendly Organic Foods to expand into new markets and connect with companies looking for high-quality, organic products with a transparent and responsible approach.
The main objective of Lyra Exports is to contact importers, distributors, and supermarket chains interested in purchasing high-quality fresh bananas from Ecuador. The goal is to establish solid business relationships and open new markets, especially in Italy, Germany, Poland, and the Middle East. Ideally, we'd like to begin preliminary negotiations with potential strategic partners. As a company committed to excellence and sustainability, Lyra Exports offers both conventional and orito bananas, all certified to GlobalG.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance specifications. These certifications, along with a highly efficient supply chain and personalized customer service, differentiate their offering from other exporters at the event.
Frutadeli is particularly interested in connecting with buyers who value quality products backed by Global GAP, Rainforest, and BASC certifications, and who prioritize supply chain sustainability, compliance, and traceability. The goal is to promote its well-positioned brands for 2025 and strengthen its reputation as the fourth-largest exporter of bananas in Ecuador. Frutadeli is looking for strategic allies willing to enter into a long-term partnership with a grower-exporter that can provide year-round supply and consistent quality, even over long transport routes such as those to North Africa and Asia. With more than 6,500 hectares of orchards and the capacity to export 300 to 400 containers per week, the company is ready to meet global demand despite the challenges of climate change and phytosanitary threats, demonstrating its resilience and leadership in the global banana trade.
For more information: www.aebe.com.ec