Ecuador: Banana growers anxiously await new pricing

Banana growers in Ecuador are anxiously waiting for government officials to determine the new box prices. Growers and exporters are at odds on what these should be. Exporters demand the 2010 pricing to be upheld. Due to the disagreement, the ministry of agriculture (MAGAP) intervened and will now set the price levels itself.

MAGAP was supposed to make an announcement last week, but the declaration was postponed. Producers demand 6.81 USD per box, a number exporters claim this is too high. Eduardo Ledesma, frontman of the union for exporters (the Asociación de Exportadores Bananeros del Ecuador, or AEBE) thinks this price will negatively affect the sector. Although he believes a consensus will be reached, he fears politicians will let the coming elections influence their judgement.

CEO of Agroban Manuel Romero, on the other hand, says the new pricing is essential to the well-being of Ecuador’s banana growers. Romero expects the new price levels will be implemented this month.

Source: Diariopinion.com