Ecuador: 24 new companies to export bananas this year
But the number changes when we check the ones really operating: last year just 181 companies exported goods. For 2012, 333 companies are qualified, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Live-Stock, Aquaculture and Fishing (Magap).
Eduardo Ledesma, director for the Banana Exporters Association of Ecuador (Asociación de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador - AEBE), believes that it's good that there are people interested in participating in the business, as long as it is within the legal and ethical parameters.
A banana companies purge is pending after the exit of the minister Stanley Vera, last Monday. Last week, the Minister in charge of Production, Santiago León, said on local radio that he's still looking for a candidate that covers the technical profile, in order to get the rural sector out of poverty.
For William Ramón, producer in Guayas, the new minister must investigate each and every company as he questions how positioned exporters can give conformity to other companies: "How is it possible if there are no new international buyers?"
According to Magap, from the 333 companies that can export, 24 are new. Among the newly ones are Exbaoro, Comersu and Exportlit. The first two were set up on the 25th of August 2011 and the third one, 12 days later, according to information from the Companies Regional Government (Superintendencia de Compañías).
The three companies have the same address and its manager is José Velásquez Castillo. He's also the manager for Fruitstylelife, created in 2005, with headquarters in Cuenca and the 4th biggest exporter in the country.
Source: EL COMERCIO