Ecuadorian banana sector: Ships are waiting in ports for days

Ecuador is one of the most important countries in the world for banana cultivation. "About 20 percent of the crop has been sold to Russia so far, which corresponds to about 1.5 million tons," says Ursula Schockemöhle (right) of Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI). Another 330,000 tons went in turn to Ukraine. Compensating for these missing markets is not easy, however. "Sale in the EU is not possible due to the lack of certificates. Although small numbers are also sold in other Eastern European countries, this is far from comparable with the Russian market," says Ursula. Shipping companies avoid the Black Sea and St. Petersburg"The Russian market is supplied via the ports on the Black Sea or via St. Petersburg. Although the port of St. Petersburg is still accessible, most shipping companies sanction the Russian ports. Ecuador remains so we have to deal with large volumes." The already high freight costs are also increasing due to the necessary bunker surcharges, which ...