The power cuts in Colombia are having a significant impact on banana production and transportation. Let's delve into the details:

The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira (Asbama) has raised concerns about the scheduled power cuts in the region from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Air-e, the utility company, announced these service interruptions due to a large debt accumulated by users in the area.

José Francisco Zúñiga, Asbama's President, highlighted the potential chaos caused by the disrupted transportation of bananas to ports and marketing points.

The suspension of electricity could lead to social discontent, blockades, and protests.

Additionally, it would disrupt the entire banana transportation chain, affecting other economic sectors.

It is crucial to keep banana cargo refrigerated during transportation. However, the lack of electricity affects irrigation systems, as pumps rely on electricity.

Growers are exploring alternatives to ensure production continuity. Diesel or gas power generation could be an option, but it comes with higher costs.

If producers resort to these alternative sources, banana costs will rise, exacerbating the sector's economic difficulties.

Zúñiga warned of potential productivity and crop quality declines due to power cuts.

The banana sector in Colombia moves over 120 containers daily from the port of Santa Marta and other municipalities in Magdalena.

Asbama urgently called on Air-e to reconsider the seven-hour power cuts and collaborate with governments to prevent an economic crisis in the industry.