Ecuador’s banana sector started the year well, with a 7.89% increase, to export 2.59 million more boxes in January 2023 (35.01 million boxes) compared to the January 2022 (32.42 million boxes). However, the dollar value and sales in key markets decreased at the same time. At the international level, the season of high demand for bananas has begun, with high spot prices of bananas, which makes it difficult to place them in various markets.
The world leaders in banana exports have increased volumes with 28% to the EU (10.56 million boxes), which takes 30.16% of the total exports for January. Their second biggest market Russia (8.5 million boxes) with 24.27% of the monthly total has seen a decrease of -2.88% and the Middle East (4.58 million boxes) a -1.03% decrease in January. A total of 23.63 million boxes were shipped to these three regions.
The statistics are based on the latest report issued by the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE). They note that despite the slight decrease in the Middle East, Turkey takes the biggest share of imports. They are also seeing a process of expansion in fruit exports in the Middle Eastern market, due to the high annual growth rates of the period in 6 of the 10 countries that make up the region.
The exports to three regions had a decrease of 0.49 million boxes, in January 2023 compared to 2022. The biggest decrease was to Eastern Europe with 23.32% or 1.56 million less boxes, Europe EFTA: 4.94% and Oceania: 4.62%.
The top Ecuadorian ports are Guayaquil with 23.44 million boxes (a 66.95% participation, Puerto Bolívar with 8.21 million boxes (23.44% participation) and Posorja with 3.36 million boxes (9.61% share).
The average number of sheaths in January 2023, which corresponds to weeks 1 to 5, in the province of Los Ríos was 45.48 sheaths. Meanwhile, in the province of Guayas it was 37.90 sheaths per week. Finally, the weekly production average in El Oro was 34.73 sheaths.
“Regarding the summary of the Banana Weekly Market Sense for the month of January, it is highlighted that, at the level of sales in dollars, the barometer presented a decreasing trend in the global consensus of the value chain experts, going from 2.35 in the week 1 to 2.33 reported in week 5. Indicating that sales in dollars decreased in the sector,” said José Antonio Hidalgo, Executive Director of AEBE.
Regarding the level of sales by volume, the barometer showed a decreasing trend in the global consensus of value chain experts, going from 2.32 in week 1 to 2.36 reported in week 5. Indicating that the sales in volume decreased in the sector.
The greatest reductions by type of banana boxes are evident in red bananas and baby bananas. The red banana box type reduced its export by 30.72%, going from exporting 4.18 thousand boxes in 2022 , to 2.90 thousand boxes in 2022, that is, 1.28 thousand boxes of bananas not exported. Likewise, baby banana-type boxes decreased their export level by 15.20%, that is, 0.02 million fewer boxes exported in 2023 compared to 2022.
On the other hand, the 22XU type boxes reported an increase in their level of exports of Ecuadorian bananas. In 2023, an additional 2.92 million boxes of this brand were exported reports AEBE.
For more information:
Jose Antonio Hidalgo,
AEBE
Tel: +593 96 402 9141
Email: communications@aebe.com.ec
www.aebe.com.ec