Banana selling prices in St. Petersburg were USD 22.25-26.00 per box CIF, depending on brand, volume, quality, and packing.

Nearly 2.14 million boxes were discharged in week 2, and around 880.000 boxes are expected for week 3.

Very low temperatures hindered discharge operations in St. Petersburg.  The exchange rate was 1 USD=88.78 RUB.

Selling prices in the Mediterranean for Ecuadorian bananas were USD 19.00-20.00 per box CIF according to brand, volume, and region. Bananas of Central American or Colombian origin were sold at around USD 2.00 less per box.

Prices in the Mersin Zone for the re-exported bananas of Ecuadorian origin were USD 18.00-22.50 per box, depending on brand, quality, and weight. Other origins sold at USD 15.50-17.50 per box.

The exchange rate was 1 USD=30.10 TL.

Prices in the Iranian domestic market for Ecuadorian bananas were 54.000-60.000 Toman per kg, 48.000-50.000 Toman per kg for Philippines bananas, 38.000-44.000 Toman per kg for Indian bananas and 35.000-40.000 Toman per kg for the Pakistani fruit.

The exchange rate was 1 USD=522.000 IRR or 52.200 Toman.

Prices in the Ecuadorian Spot Market ranged from USD 9.00-10.00 per box for the fruit only at the beginning of the week, keeping at around USD 10.00-12.00 per box during the week and reaching USD 11.50-12.00 per box on Friday January 12.

Prices are expected to go up next week due to increased demand from Russia, where sales were slowed down by the previous week's long holiday period.

Due to the unrest and accidents at the beginning of the week in Ecuador, banana harvesting, packing, and exporting operations were hindered or delayed on January 9-10 for lack of cardboard boxes and occasional closure of port terminals in Guayaquil and Puerto Bolivar. Activity went back to normal by January 11 and 12, although there might be bananas that could not arrive at the loading ports if shippers missed the container cut-off.

The Time Charter rates were US Cents 60-65 per cbft. per month for larger vessels and around US Cents 45-50 per cbft. per month for smaller ships.

Bunker prices:       

                                     VLSFO            MGO       

Gibraltar                      $599.50           $833.00 

Rotterdam                   $540.50           $746.50

Panama Canal             $581.00           $1033.00