Ecuadorian banana exports experienced a decrease in the first four months of 2021, after 3 years of consecutive increases during that period. According to data from the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), Ecuador exported 135.43 million boxes of bananas between January and April, i.e. 3.36% less than in the same period of 2020. In this period, exports between 2018 and 2020 experienced year-on-year increases of 7.91%, 0.87%, and 9.80%.
The main decreases in banana exports were recorded in East Asia (-32.74%), United Kingdom (-29.36%), Middle East (-26.62%), EFTA (-22.61%), Canada (-14.74%), Oceania (-8.65%), Russia (-5.88%), and the European Union (-4.60%).
However, there was significant growth in Africa (+67.63%), Eastern Europe (+33.77%), the United States (+ 17.25%), and the Southern Cone (+ 4.32%).
69.01% of the boxes exported in the first four months of 2021 left Ecuador through the ports of Guayaquil, 22.48% through Puerto Bolivar, and 8.51% through the Port of Posorja. 82% of the exported fruit was transported in containers and the rest in bulk in refrigerated ships.
The leading exporting companies were Ubesa (Dole), with a 9.97% share (one percentage point less than in 2020), Reybanpac with a 7.06% share, Frutadeli with a 4.47% share, Comersur with 3.90%, and Agzulasa with 3.03%.
