Ecuador
Banana Export From Ecuador Decreased by 6.5%, 24.9M Fewer Cartons Shipped (Jan 26)
Ecuador, the world leader in banana exports, had an estimated loss of more than USD 256M (EUR 236M) and a 6.5% drop in exports from January to December 2022. This drop is mainly due to the Russian war in Ukraine, internal strikes, and the appreciation of the dollar against the euro. Until December 2022, cumulative exports amounted to 354.6M cartons, compared to 379.5M in 2021. The top three export markets are the European Union in first place with 26.3%, Russia at 23.43%, and the Middle East at 15.2%. These three regions account for 65% of the Ecuadorian banana supply.
Increase of Ecuadorian Spot Banana Prices During W4 (Jan 28)
During W4 in Ecuador, spot banana prices increased from USD 11.45/13.5kg box and USD 14.35/18.14kg box FOB to USD 13.65/13.5kg box and USD 17.35/18.14kg box. The price increase corresponds to a low inventory because lesser fruit was bagged in the fields twelve weeks ago due to cold weather conditions. The early harvest of 12-week-old fruit also influenced the price. Younger fruit was harvested due to the recent rise in temperatures in Ecuador.
Colombia
After the Fusarium R4T banana disease was found in Venezuela during W3, Colombia is preparing steps for the prevention of this plague in the territory bordering Venezuela. The phytosanitary administration in Colombia will run comprehensive prevention tests in La Guajira, Cesar, Norte de Santander, Boyaca, Arauca, Vichada, and Guainia to mitigate any related risk for the Colombian Banana sector.
Australia
Banana Yield in Western Australia Increased by 60% (Jan 25)
In Australia, with favorable weather conditions, banana growers in Carnarvon are experiencing the best season in the last ten years. Warm temperatures and increased humidity have created ideal growing conditions during the past few months, with a yield increase of 60% from the usual January average.
Guatemala
Guatemala Overtakes Philippines as Second Largest Banana Exporter (Jan 27)
In 2022, Guatemala displaced the Philippines as the world's second-largest exporter of bananas. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Guatemala exported a total of 2.467M tons of bananas in 2022, compared to the Philippines with 2.235M tons. Banana production in the Philippines continued to decline as growers struggled to tackle and contain the devastating spread of the Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease.
Poland
Spot Prices for Green Bananas in Poland Are Very High in W3 (Jan 23)
In W3 FOT spot prices for green bananas in Poland are very high. The well-known brand's transaction price reached USD 23.98 (EUR 22) with the lowest offers reported on Thursday the 19th of January not going below USD 21.53 (EUR 19.75). Price increases are due to the high demand, and low supply of bananas coming to Europe.
Polish Wholesale Market Prices for Fruit and Vegetables in W3 (Jan 25)
Due to a shortage of bananas in Europe, prices have increased again in W3. The general consensus in the Polish market is that volumes of fresh fruit and vegetables are expected to be average. Below are the exemplary transaction prices on January 22, 2023, in the Bronisze Wholesale market:
Banana Ecuador: USD 24.98-26.36/18kg (PLN 108-114/18kg box)
Lemon Turkish: USD 1.16/kg(PLN 5/kg)
Lemon Spanish: USD 15.03-16.19/10kg (PLN 65-70/10kg)
Mandarin Italian 1/2/3: USD 11.56/10kg (PLN 50/10kg)
Mandarin Turkish: USD 13.88/10kg (PLN 60/10kg)
Bell pepper Spanish: USD 12.72/6kg (PLN 55/6kg)
Bell pepper Turkish: USD 11.56/kg (PLN 50/6kg)
Cucumber Spanish: USD 8.09-10.41/6kg (PLN 35-45/6kg)
Tomato Turkish: USD 1.62/kg (PLN 7/kg)
Tomato Spanish: USD 13.41/6kg (PLN 58/6kg)
Pink tomato Spanish: USD 19.66/6kg (PLN 85/6kg)
Red Globe grapes Chile: USD 24.28/8.2kg (PLN 105/8.2kg)
White grapes Chile: USD 27.75/8.2kg (PLN 120/8.2kg)
Kiwi loose: USD 11.56/10kg (PLN 50/10kg)
Orange Spanish: USD 0.97/kg (PLN 4.2/kg)
Orange Greek: USD 0.93/kg (PLN 4/kg)
Uganda
Digitization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards in Uganda as Horticulture Exports Increase (Jan 25)
The Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture is digitizing its sanitary and phytosanitary standards as horticulture exports are increasing. The current inspection process is highly manual which creates challenges that include the inability of the regulatory bodies to store and review inspection records, delayed inspections caused by detailed paper requirements and documentation, and a lack of proper data analysis. Uganda has seen a steady increase in horticulture exports, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Major Ugandan horticultural exports are to neighboring countries, including Kenya, South Sudan, and DRC. The EU and the UK are also big importers of Ugandan horticulture, mainly consisting of chilies, green bananas, avocados, eggplants, and sweet potatoes.