North America Edition
Faced with the difficult situation of banana producers, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) has pledged to support and defend exporters so as to try to prevent market distortions that destabilize this fruit's purchase price. "As part of the urgent measures implemented by the MAG, the entity will intensify control over exporters that had been supplying the Eastern European market, especially Russia and Ukraine," the Ministry stated.
"The government is carrying out review and analysis tasks to determine and locate the exports that are not complying with the provisions of Ecuador's legal framework, thus affecting the price of the fruit in other markets, to strengthen the work of the banana actors who have been complying with the payment of the official price of the box of bananas, covered by duly signed sales contracts, as provided for by the law and the regulations of the MAG."
"It's the only way to defend banana producers and exporters. Under the current circumstances, this activity requires rigorous control by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock."
The Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) also welcomes the private initiative of some banana exporters that agreed to buy the bunches that could not be marketed, in solidarity with small producers and to alleviate the crisis generated by the closure of the Eastern European markets by the war.
In addition, there are conversations with the prefectures of Guayas, Los Ríos, and El Oro, whose authorities could buy some of the fruit to help feed the population or, failing that, as a natural fertilizer for the crops in the area.
Source: agricultura.gob.ec / eltelegrafo.com.ec
