Producers of plantain have held a meeting to initiate actions to demand an increase in prices, which are currently very low. They threaten to suspend shipments of the fruit and to take over packing facilities, as the intermediaries and packers want to acquire the fruit at very low costs that severely affect the producer's economy, said Leonardo Nava Pazos, a member of the Local Agricultural Association and a producer.
"They are affecting producers. On Monday, we'll suspend all shipments until we reach an arrangement with buyers or with intermediaries, who are coyotes, and the minimum price we're ready to accept is one peso with fifty cents," he stated.
In addition to taking over the packing facilities next Monday, they intend to close the access to the banana areas and auction points to exert pressure. The producers expect to start negotiations that same day or earlier. They demand prices be higher than $1.50. Currently, the intermediaries and packers want to acquire the fruit for 0.40 cents, which is not profitable for the sector.
If they don't reach an agreement, they will continue their protest until they agree to increase prices, as some producers have opted to throw away their production, despite having waited more than eight months for their crops to recover after being affected by weather conditions.
Nava Pazos said there was no overproduction in the country which could explain the low prices. In fact, he added, some states are not even marketing the fruit.
Source: diarioelmartinense.com.mx