by Yurien Portelles, Andes
The chairman of the Association of Banana Exports of Ecuador, Jorge Alex Serrano, stated that Ecuadorian companies are seeking to establish themselves as the leading suppliers of the “star fruit” in the Chinese market, ahead of the Philippines, their traditional seller.
“We are looking forward to broadening horizons, creating relations and growing up”, declared Serrano to Andes, of the business delegation of the entourage of President Rafael Correa, who will make his first state visit to China from January 5 to 9, after an official meeting in 2007.
As the producer and exporter explained, regarding the crisis that Russia is facing, China is presented as a possibility to divert the fruit to this Asian destination and stop the prices from falling. In addition, the growing demand for this market is satisfied.
Last November, the trade of this product to China, in 13 kilograms boxes, reached 250,000 per week, with which the exports were increased to 500%.
Serrano affirmed that Ecuador meets the requirements to respond to the Chinese banana request in the current levels and more, because so far it is not an exaggerated amount, but it is increasing gradually, with which this country is presented as a “serious and constant” exporter.
The opening of this niche, he explained, is because the Philippines has faced the impact of natural disasters such as typhoons and “Panama disease” virus, which have destroyed their plantations and limited sales, so it is less fruit available and its price has gone up.
Another cause of increased purchases of bananas is that Chinese consumption is rising higher; “China’s middle class and consumption capacity are increasing. Moreover, North China will require similar fruit to that produced in Ecuador”, he claimed.
The characteristics of Ecuadorian and Filipino banana are similar, but the latter is a little smaller, while ripening conditions also vary. The fruit received from Ecuador can stay more time greener in “perch”.
Currently, 30% of national banana production and exportation goes to China, and 25% to the United States, where shipments from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras are arriving. Other buyers of this Ecuadorian line are Northern and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Turkey, from where it enters Iraq, Iran and Georgia.
In Ecuador, nearly 200 banana exporting companies remain active. Some of these commercialize betwren 5 and 10 containers per week, while a medium producer might do 4 or 5 containers every week and others reach 300 to 400 in the same period.
Source: Andes