In October 2024, Peruvian banana exports reached 13,489 tons, generating revenues of $11.7 million. This represented an increase of 10.5% in volume and 13.9% in value compared to the same month of the previous year. According to the report, the growth was due to an increase in exported volume and an improvement in the average price. The main presentations of bananas exported in October were fresh (84.7%) and processed (15.3%). Regarding volume and value, fresh bananas reached 13,139 tons for $9.9 million, with an average price of $0.75 per kilogram. The primary destinations supplied with Peruvian bananas were the Netherlands (31.4% share), which imported 4,730 tons for $3.7 million.

According to data from the Coordination Office of Statistics of the Association of Banana Marketing and Export (ACORBANEC), from January to October 2024, Ecuador's banana exports reached 274.39 million boxes, a 0.50% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The European Union (27) remains the leading destination, absorbing 29.93% of total exports, followed by Russia with 18.23%, the Middle East with 13.48%, and the United States with 12.13%. Other markets include the Southern Cone with 6.76% and Africa with 5.86%.

The banana selling prices in Russia experienced significant fluctuations throughout the week, influenced by brand, quality, volume, and packaging. On Monday, prices were USD 16.65 per box CIF. By Tuesday, prices ranged from USD 17.10 to 18.00 per box, and from Thursday onwards, prices increased to USD 18.00 to 18.95 per box CIF, highlighting the volatility of the market. The sudden surge in prices was primarily due to two significant factors. Firstly, a report of a delayed vessel arrival, which was initially expected on December 2nd, caused a ripple effect in the market. Secondly, the substantial devaluation of the Ruble against the US Dollar further exacerbated the situation. During week 48, approximately 1.915 million boxes of bananas were discharged, indicating a healthy supply. Looking ahead to week 49, we anticipate a similar trend, with an estimated 1.5 million boxes expected to be discharged. The exchange rate was 1 USD = 109.58 RUB after having reached a maximum of 115 on Wednesday. The price disparity between Ecuadorian and Colombian or Central American bananas was significant in the Mediterranean. Ecuadorian bananas ranged from USD 15.00 to 16.00 per box CIF, depending on brand, volume, region, and packaging. However, in Algeria, prices were notably higher, ranging from USD 24.00 to 25.00 per box CIF due to limited volumes of bananas available.

Banana industry associations from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and the Dominican Republic have firmly rejected Edeka, Germany's largest supermarket chain, 's request to lower the prices of Latin American bananas during trade negotiations. In a joint statement, sector representatives warned that this demand threatens the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the banana industry in the region.

This December, Chiquita is excited to be a proud partner of Art Basel Miami in Beach 2024, bringing a burst of bright yellow and vibrant energy to one of the world's most prestigious art events. Known for its signature Blue Sticker and playful personality, Chiquita will engage with its fans and art lovers at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which will take place from December 6th to the 8th. Chiquita's debut at Art Basel in Miami Beach builds on a long-standing connection between bananas and the art world.

Edeka has inaugurated a cutting-edge fruit warehouse in the Port of Hamburg, refining fruits and vegetables from Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. This milestone comes after years of contention with city authorities. The tropical fruits, including bananas, arrive by pallet at Dessauer Straße in the port, having been kept dormant at sea to halt the ripening process. At Edeka's new Fruchtkontor, the bananas are revived, ripened slowly at 12 to 13 degrees in extraordinary chambers, and then distributed to retail locations across Germany. The warehouse on a 37,000-square-meter plot on Kleiner Grasbrook is Europe's most modern fruit and vegetable facility.

Interoperability among container tracking device platforms has been a significant focus for vendors and cross-industry associations in recent years. Hardware and software providers, in a powerful display of unity, have joined forces in a new alliance. Their mission: to combat drug smugglers who use container shipping to transport cocaine from South America to Europe and North America. The alliance includes providers such as Traxens, Nexxiot, Hoopo, Orbcomm, and GlobeTracker, all supplying shipping lines with Internet of Things (IoT) devices installed on dry or refrigerated containers.

According to the company's release, Hapag-Lloyd has agreed with Goldwind, a global strategic partner in clean energy with headquarters in Beijing, China, to deliver 250,000 tonnes of green methanol per year. The green methanol will consist of a blend of bio- and e-methanol, ensuring a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 70 per cent and complying with all current sustainability certification requirements. By 2030, compared to conventional fuels, the ordered quantity of green methanol can save up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions in fleet operations per year—goldwind plans to build a new green methanol factory adjacent to its Hinggan League, China project.

On November 25, South Central Railway (SCR) loaded banana stocks from Tadipatri in the Guntakal division of Andhra Pradesh. In collaboration with the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), SCR dispatched the first train carrying bananas to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai. "From JNPT, the bananas will be exported to Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. This marks the first shipment of the season," said SCR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) A. Sridhar.

Chiquita is collaborating with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for another year to provide runners with a natural energy boost. This year, Chiquita has pushed beyond performance and nutrition, focusing on bringing joy and fun to the event. With over 70,000 bananas donated, Chiquita will fuel athletes during the race and help them recover with the perfect snack while encouraging them to embrace the lighter side of participating in such a joyful event.

Chiquita is eagerly preparing to return to the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Trade Show for another year of exciting new launches. The main attraction at this year's trade show is the introduction of Chiquita's Yelloway One (YW01), a groundbreaking new banana prototype resistant to diseases and low in carbon emissions. Additionally, Chiquita will unveil its new Sustainability Report and immerse visitors in a taste of the tropics, allowing fresh produce experts to connect and learn more about cutting-edge innovations and industry trends.

Colombia exported more than 63.7 million boxes of bananas between January and July of this year, which is 10 million more than the same period in 2023, according to figures available today from the Banana Growers Association (Augura). The association also reported an increase in the value of external sales during the first seven months, rising from $510.6 million to $591.5 million, which is 15.8 per cent higher than the previous year.

Banana selling prices in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 17.80 to 18.85 per box CIF from Monday to Tuesday, prices began to rise on Wednesday, reaching approximately USD 20.00 per box CIF. Nearly 1.35 million boxes were discharged in week 41 and around 1.7 million are expected for week 42. The exchange rate during this period was 1 USD = 97.24 RUB. Prices for Ecuadorian bananas in the Mediterranean ranged from approximately USD 16.00-17.00 per box CIF to USD 21.00-23.00 per box, depending on the brand, volume, region, and packing. The highest prices were seen in Algeria, at around USD 23.00 per box CIF, and in Libya, where they sold for about USD 18.00 per box CIF. Bananas from Central America or Colombia were priced at around USD 2.00 less per box. In the Free Zone of Mersin, prices for re-exported Ecuadorian bananas ranged from USD 15.00 to around USD 18.00 per box. Bananas from Central America or Colombia were quoted at approximately USD 13.00-14.00 per box, depended on the brand, volume, packing, and box weight. The exchange rate was 1 USD=34.29 TL.

Maersk has officially named its latest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, "Alexandra Maersk," at a ceremony held at the Port of Felixstowe, U.K. The ship's godmother, Director of People & Culture at Primark, Elaine Condon, symbolised the strong logistics and sustainability partnership between Maersk and Primark. "Alexandra Maersk" is the sixth vessel in Maersk's fleet capable of operating on methanol, part of a series of 18 large dual-fuel ships scheduled for delivery by 2025. Each can carry more than 16,000 standard containers (TEU).

Gemini Cooperation, the entity formed by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to unify their operations on East-West Routes in early 2025, has decided to launch its services via the Cape of Good Hope. "After thorough consideration and given the continued safety concerns in the Red Sea, Hapag-Lloyd AG (Hapag-Lloyd) and Maersk A/S (Maersk), an entity under A.P. Moller – Maersk, confirm that they expect to phase in their Cape of Good Hope network for the commencement of the Gemini Cooperation on 1 February 2025," Maersk announced in Europe on October 9th.