On May 15, the prefect of El Oro, Clemente Bravo, announced the parameters for the traditional 2024 Rey Banano contest, which will take place in September during the World Banana Fair.

The Rey Banano 2024 proposal includes categories for both conventional bananas and organic bananas based on the hectare of each farm or estate. In this edition, there will be 12 winners distributed in the following categories:

Conventional Bananas

Small Producers: Participating producers with estates from 1 to 15 hectares. The top three positions will be selected. Medium Producers: Participating producers with estates from 15.01 to 50 hectares. The top three positions will be selected. Large Producers: Participating producers with estates of over 50 hectares. The top three positions will be selected. This contest is an opportunity to highlight the quality and diversity of bananas produced in Ecuador, promote the banana industry, and recognise the efforts of farmers.

Organic Bananas

The top three positions in the Rey Banano 2024 Contest will be awarded in the Organic Banana category, following this criteria:

Weight: The conventional cluster must weigh 100 pounds, while the organic cluster must weigh 80 pounds.

Grade: The conventional cluster should have a grade between 40 and 48, whereas the organic cluster should be between 39 and 47.

Number of Hands: The conventional cluster should have 12 hands, while the organic cluster should have 8.

Allowed Varieties: Producers can present varieties such as Cavendish, Valery, Williams, and others.

The judging panel will consist of two members from the College of Agronomical Engineers of El Oro, an engineer from the MAG, an engineer from the UTMACH, and one from Agrocalidad.

The goal of Rey Banano 2024 is to encourage greater participation from banana producers and reward the efforts of small, medium, and large-scale producers who, through good agricultural practices, obtain clusters with excellent presentation, health, and weight, making them deserve of one of the 12 positions.