The Canary Islands government is proposing the concentration of supply and more efficient management in the marketing of bananas, to address the sector's concerns.
This was revealed by the Council of Agriculture of the Canarian Government, Narvay Quintero, in a meeting with the Governing Council of the Agricultural Cooperative of Northern Gran Canaria. Quintero acknowledged that the situation of banana crops has become more difficult because of, among other reasons, "the signing of agreements by the European Union with third countries, such as Ecuador, which will increase the volume coming from outside Europe."
Future strategies for bananas
The Councillor explained that, in this situation, the Canary executive only has two possible lines of action: demanding the reform of these agreements (which has already been raised in several meetings with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Commission) or requesting protection for the outermost regions in such pacts, especially for products such as bananas.
"We understand the concerns of some growers who are sometimes forced to sell for prices below the cost of production. We have already held several meetings to reform the decree in the most appropriate manner to meet the sector's demands. But other factors should be taken into account, including the consolidation of the mainland market and the opening of new markets with a commitment to quality, supported by the protected geographical indication," he adds.
Narvay Quintero believes that adapting to the market is crucial for the continued cultivation of bananas and understands the concerns of the growers about the future. "The public administrations have implemented all possible mechanisms to improve aid to producers, with both compensations and instruments for differentiation. We cannot do a lot more than that," affirms Quintero.
Canary bananas have beaten their production record so far this year, with 282 million kilos up to week 33; however, the inability to sell 100% of the production has led to the withdrawal of 8.5 million kilos from the market during the first half of the year.
