{"id":189084,"date":"2025-10-15T20:31:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T18:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=189084"},"modified":"2025-10-15T21:00:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T19:00:52","slug":"ecuador-rallies-industry-to-defend-bananas-and-keep-world-export-crown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/ecuador-rallies-industry-to-defend-bananas-and-keep-world-export-crown\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecuador rallies industry to defend bananas and keep world export crown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guayaquil, Ecuador, Oct 15 (EFE).\u2014<\/strong> Ecuador<\/strong>, the world\u2019s top banana exporter<\/strong>, opened Banana Time<\/strong>, Latin America\u2019s largest convention devoted to the fruit, with a call for cooperation, innovation, and sustainability<\/strong> to strengthen its global leadership while facing phytosanitary threats<\/strong> and supply-chain security challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 22nd edition of Banana Time<\/strong>, organized by the Association of Ecuadorian Banana Exporters (AEBE)<\/strong>, began Tuesday in the port city of Guayaquil<\/strong>. The event serves as a forum to anticipate market trends<\/strong>, address crop protection challenges<\/strong>, and shape the future<\/strong> of the world\u2019s leading banana industry.<\/p>\n

Shaping the future of the global banana industry<\/h2>\n
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\u201cBanana Time Guayaquil 2025 is not only the most important event of its kind in Ecuador but also Latin America\u2019s key forum for the banana industry, bringing together science, public policy, and business strategy to confront global market challenges,<\/strong>\u201d said AEBE president Jorge Encalada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThis year, with a focus on phytosanitary issues, we want to reaffirm that this event is the essential meeting point for anticipating trends, building partnerships, and defining the direction of Ecuador\u2019s most exported fruit,<\/strong>\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\"The
The deputy director of the Association of Ecuadorian Banana Exporters (AEBE), Pamina Gonz\u00e1lez (1st L). AEBE\u2019s executive director, Jos\u00e9 Antonio Hidalgo (3rd L). AEBE vice president, Marianela Ubilla (4th L). Ecuador\u2019s minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, Luis Alberto Jaramillo (4th R). AEBE president, Jorge Encalada (3rd R); and Ecuador\u2019s minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Danilo Palacios (2nd R), cut the ribbon during the opening of Banana Time Guayaquil 2025 in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE\/ Jonathan Miranda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ecuador\u2019s leadership and global reach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Encalada recalled the \u201chumble roots\u201d<\/strong> of Ecuador\u2019s banana industry, which now provides more than 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs<\/strong> and \u201ccontinues to raise Ecuador\u2019s name in more than 70 countries.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Exports totaled $3.6 billion in 2024<\/strong>, with a 14.7% increase in the first half of 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He praised Ecuador\u2019s new trade agreement with South Korea<\/strong> and ongoing efforts to begin negotiations with Japan<\/strong> for a similar deal.<\/p>\n

However, he warned that the industry faces two major threats: drug trafficking<\/strong> and the Fusarium R4T fungus.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"People
People attend Banana Time Guayaquil 2025 on Tuesday, in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE\/ Jonathan Miranda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shared responsibility from Europe<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On the first issue, Encalada stressed that drug trafficking<\/strong> is \u201ca global problem that hits Latin America but originates and thrives on consumption in destination countries.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

He urged Europe<\/strong> to \u201cassume its share of responsibility,<\/strong>\u201d adding, \u201cYou cannot fight transnational crime without treating consumption as a global public health and cooperation challenge.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The European Union<\/strong> is the primary buyer of Ecuadorian bananas<\/strong>, accounting for over 30% of exports<\/strong>, and it is in these shipments that most contamination cases have been detected.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe at AEBE are not standing idly by,<\/strong>\u201d Encalada said, noting that exporters are working with the government<\/strong> to secure logistics chains<\/strong> and protect Ecuador\u2019s top exports \u2014 bananas, cocoa, and shrimp.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Fusarium and the call for unity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regarding Fusarium R4T<\/strong>, a fungus suspected to have reached Ecuador, Encalada issued an urgent call to action and unity, saying \u201cevery grower must be the first guardian of their farm.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The fight against the disease will involve experts from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and other countries. <\/strong>It will also feature the presentation of Ecuador\u2019s national strategy<\/strong> to combat it.<\/p>\n

\"Ecuador\u2019s
Ecuador\u2019s minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Danilo Palacios, speaks during the opening of Banana Time Guayaquil 2025 on Tuesday, in Guayaquil (Ecuador). EFE\/ Jonathan Miranda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aligned with the government<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the opening ceremony, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Danilo Palacios<\/strong> and Production, Trade and Investment Minister Luis Alberto Jaramillo<\/strong> joined the call for unity. They reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment<\/strong> to the sector.<\/p>\n

Palacios praised the resilience<\/strong> of Ecuador\u2019s banana industry in facing multiple crises. He recalled the black sigatoka outbreak in the 1980s<\/strong>, which was controlled, and the later shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic<\/strong> and the Russia\u2013Ukraine war<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He expressed confidence that the sector would also overcome Fusarium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The convention gathered key players from across the value chain<\/strong> \u2014 producers, exporters, suppliers, researchers, government officials, and financial institutions such as Banco Guayaquil<\/strong>, a main sponsor.<\/p>\n

Its corporate banking manager, Pablo Mart\u00ednez<\/strong>, underscored the banana sector\u2019s importance<\/strong> in the bank\u2019s portfolio. EFE<\/p>\n

EFE published this report with the support of the Association of Ecuadorian Banana Exporters.<\/em><\/p>\n