Which Are the Main Banana Productive Regions in Ecuador?

Los Ríos (37.14%) is the province with the highest banana production. Then follows the province of Guayas (32.25%) and in the third position El Oro (24,12%). (Source: MAGAP Ecuador, Map of estimated banana cultivation area 2021 in mainland Ecuador). 

Similar numbers reveal the “Situational analysis of banana crops from the MAGAP” where it appears the same top three the provinces with highest banana production (Source: Agricultural Public Information System of Ecuador, SIPA).

If we look at the number of growers, the ranking reveals a very different outcome in 2021. Therefore, considering the number of Agricultural Production Units (UPA), banana growers are mainly located in El Oro (14.68 % UPA) and in smaller numbers in Los Ríos (12.09 %) and Guayas (11.18%).

This difference between the distribution of production and the number of farms is because El Oro has the largest number of small banana growers. On the other hand, in Guayas and Los Ríos are located the big growers. Therefore, in 2021 the yield per hectare is smaller in El Oro than in the two other regions.