Tropical storms Eta and Iota had a great impact on the Honduran agricultural sector. According to the Damage Report from the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), 27% of the country's banana production was affected, representing losses of nearly 474.6 million lempiras. As a result of the damage, Honduras is importing this fruit from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama.
“The plantations were flooded for several weeks in the departments of Cortes, Yoro, and Atlantida. Nearly 100% of the farms were damaged,” stated Hector Castro, representative of the producers. "Right now we have no bananas and the worst thing is that more than 4,000 employees are suspended."
According to Castro, the sector would take more than nine months to recover, supply the country's internal demand, and meet its export commitments.
Imports are estimated in the millions, as Honduras has the region's highest per capita consumption of bananas.
Source: latribuna.hn
