The Ecuadorian plantain industry is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent years. José Cañas, a producer and owner of the Cañas Trejos export company, describes a critical situation driven by the spread of moko (Ralstonia solanacearum), a bacterium that has destroyed plantations in the El Carmen area and parts of the provinces of Manabí and Los Ríos, two of the country's main producing regions.
© Exportadora Cañas Trejos
"According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, El Carmen went from having 55,000 hectares to 35,000-40,000. This drastic reduction has led to a sharp increase in prices; a 50-pound box of plantain now sells for $20 to $22, a record in the Ecuadorian market," Cañas said.
The impact of the moko has been worsened by other phenomena. Cañas pointed out that "the rise in cocoa prices - from $80-110 to as much as $510 a hundredweight following problems in Africa - generated a 'cocoa fever'. Many growers replaced their plantain plantations with cocoa plantations, further reducing the national supply of plantains.
The producer noted that "planting is a gamble; today the price might be $3 or $4, but tomorrow it could reach $20."
© Exportadora Cañas Trejos
Despite the challenges, international demand stays strong. Cañas Trejos mainly exports to the United Kingdom, sending fresh fruit for the European market. Growers deserve a fair price because working the fields is hard. A value of $10 per box throughout the year would allow a fair margin for all the actors in the chain, producers, exporters, and importers," he stressed.
He also warned of the need for a more technical agricultural policy closer to producers. While he recognizes that "practically all Ecuadorian plantains find a commercial outlet, whether as fresh fruit, chifles, or flour," he considers that "the lack of planning and control of planting generates cycles of overproduction and loss."
© Exportadora Cañas Trejos
"Besides plantain, we cultivate cassava, cocoa, and African palm, which help mitigate risks from diseases and market changes. However, moko remains the primary threat to the future of plantain farming in Ecuador. This sector urgently needs coordinated strategies between producers and authorities to prevent its collapse," he stated.
For more information:
José Cañas
Exportadora Cañas Trejos
Ecuador
Tel: +593 9 39252975
Email: [email protected]
