Ecuador's banana sector makes use of sea freight that needs up to 55 days to arrive due to the detour taken around the Cape of Good Hope, with record spot prices that have reached 16 dollars per 43-pound box and exhaustive controls due to the sanitary threat of moko. All this has slowed purchases by European importers, who are considering resorting to the growing supply from other countries.
"Despite a complex regional sanitary situation, the farms of Grupo Manobanda have been able to control the impact of this bacterium, which is a phytosanitary problem that has hit several areas of the country. With proper management, we have succeeded in keeping its impact to a minimum in our plantations," says Pedro Angel, commercial manager of the export company Delindecsa S.A., which is part of the group.
"This year we have done quite well. In these months when we have very changeable weather, our production has fallen by just 12%, while in the country as a whole it can fall by up to 30% due to falling temperatures. Grupo Manobanda owns 2,000 hectares of bananas and also works with some 500 hectares from strategic partner producers. It's also worth noting that by 2026, 250 hectares of mangoes will be in production for export. From our plantations in the area of Quevedo, in northern Ecuador, we export between 150 and 160 containers a week," he says.
"Logistical problems have been another important factor. The conflict in the Suez Canal has forced shipping companies to go around Africa, extending transit times to the Middle East from 35 to more than 50 days. This makes the process riskier for the fruit," says the commercial manager. "A longer transit time entails a higher chance of the fruit ripening or suffering damage."
In this context, "spot prices have reached unusually high levels of up to 18 dollars FOB including materials," he says. Although prices have come down slightly, they are still high for this time of the season. "They currently range between 12.50 and 15 dollars FOB per box, depending on certifications such as Global G.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance."
Some of the main export destinations are the United States (through multinationals such as Chiquita and Dole), Europe, Russia, Argentina, the Middle East, and North Africa. The goal for 2025 is clear: "We want to diversify our markets and optimize production indicators," says Pedro Ángel. The company is also considering the possibility of expanding its acreage.
"Although the U.S. market has a strong and stable demand, competition from other suppliers such as Colombia and Costa Rica, as well as the current high prices, has led to a slowdown in purchases from Ecuador. Importers without fixed contracts are looking for cheaper alternatives in other countries," he says, although Ecuadorian fruit has qualities that cannot be found in other countries.
"Bananas are still one of Ecuador's main economic engines, in a context where production efficiency, phytosanitary controls, and market diversification are becoming increasingly important to remain competitive against countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala," he says.
For more information:
Pedro Ángel
Delindecsa
Ecuador
Tel: +593 96 223 7140
[email protected]
www.delindecsa.com