Five representatives of the Ecuadorian banana producers and an equal number for the exporters will meet in Machala, El Oro province, Ecuador, in the next few days to set next year's price for a box of the fruit.
Rafael Correa's government, through the minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Javier Ponce, should issue a statement about the meeting's final decision.
Julio Cruz and William Ramón, for Guayas; Wilfrido Macías for Los Ríos and Noemí Capa, along with Giovanny Coronel, for El Oro, will debate the proposals to be presented to the vice minister Luis Valverde, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, to hear any alternatives.
Raúl Lara Carrión, president of El Oro's Chamber of Banana Producers, subsidiary of the National Federation of Chambers, formed by Guayas, Los Ríos and Cañar, said that a statement concerning the new price is being prepared by a special commission led by the head of the Agronomists Association, Kléber Navarro.
The official price this year is set at 5.50 dollars. Producers are aiming for an increase, but until the Machala meeting takes place no details regarding the decision will be announced.
There are high expectations for a new price, according to the Chamber of Producers, because it has remained stable for four years and small and medium growers are eager for changes to be made in this regard.
It was made clear that any proposal to be brought to Machala by the producing provinces will have to include improvements for the sector. Other associations aspiring for beneficial agreements at the meeting are keeping up to date with the news.
Source: Diariopinion.com