Ecuadorian banana sector tries to regain lost ground in Swiss market

The banana, Ecuador's main export fruit, is one of the products that will benefit from the entry into force of the trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which exempts 99% of Ecuador's exports from import duties on the markets of Liechtenstein, Norway , Iceland and Switzerland. Known for their high consumption and purchasing power, the four countries have a total of 12.5 million consumers. According to the Association of Ecuadorian Banana Exporters (AEBE), bananas, which previously had to pay 25% import duties in Switzerland, will now be able to enter the country freely. According to Francisco Ballén, foreign trade adviser, this will allow the Ecuadorian banana to regain ground lost since 2014. After all, Colombia already signed an agreement with the EVA that year, which gave the Colombian banana in Switzerland a big lead. But other products will also benefit from the free trade agreement, such as cocoa, flowers and processed fruit and vegetables. In ...