The central banana-producing entity in the Canary Islands (which groups 31% of the offer), the firm Coplaca, a producer organization (OPP) which is also a second-degree cooperative society, has just presented its economic results for what all local fruit producers consider a terrible year. From these records, disseminated this Tuesday in a note by the commercial entity, it is concluded that the farmers attached to such OPP marketed 134,000 tons last year, a global amount sold at the average value per kilo in green of 1.04 euros.

The banana guilds of Latin America once again expressed their concern that the practices of European supermarkets and discount stores demonstrate a lack of real commitment to improving the industry's current conditions and achieving sustainability. Two months after their last statement on the need for European supermarket and discount store chains to adopt the Fairtrade methodology to calculate the fair price of bananas, taking into account the sustainability efforts in environmental and labour terms of the producing countries of the region

During the first four months of 2024, Madeira sold 6,623.5 tons of bananas, an increase of 1,045.1 tons, or 18.7%, compared to the same period in 2023. The Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (DRADR) provided this data, which the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira released.

The selling prices of bananas in St. Petersburg hovered around USD 23.00 per box CIF, with some transactions ranging from USD 21.25 to USD 24.0 per box CIF. These prices were determined by brand, quality, volume, and type of packaging. Approximately 1.77 million boxes were unloaded in the week 21 and nearly 1.96 million boxes are projected for the week 22. The prevailing exchange rate was 1 USD = 90.25 RUB. The Russian Economic Development Ministry said in its Current Price Situation report that it estimated annual inflation at 8.03% on May 20. The prices for Ecuadorean bananas ranged from USD 16.00 to 18.00 per box CIF in the Mediterranean. These prices varied depending on the brand, volume, region, and packing. Fruits from other origins were sold at approximately USD 2.0 less per box. In the Mersin Free Zone, the prices for re-exported bananas of Ecuadorean origin were between USD 16.00 and 18.00 per box. On occasions, for extra quality and heavy boxes, the cost was up to USD 20.00 per box.

According to the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), the European Union (EU) has established new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for the pesticides Oxamyl and Indoxacarb, which are widely used in fruit and vegetable crops in Costa Rica. This restriction applies to products intended for export, so sector members indicated that they would seek environmentally friendly substitute products.

Once again, the resilient Colombian banana sector has expressed concern over excessive certifications and the low international price of this fruit, which threaten agricultural production. The Association of Banana Growers of Colombia (Augura) announced that European retail markets continue to lower the cost of bananas through promotions, a fact that, according to the union, demonstrates a lack of interest in the efforts being made by the agro-industry to comply with the policies and certifications required in European territory.

Supermarkets in the UK are negotiating with the Fairtrade Foundation over the trial of a collective buying scheme for Fairtrade goods. Fairtrade Foundation declined to name the supermarkets involved but confirmed ongoing talks. Sources close to the matter told The Financial Times that Tesco and Sainsbury's are also participating.

Los supermercados del Reino Unido están negociando con la Fundación Fairtrade para probar un plan de compra colectiva de productos Fairtrade. La Fundación Fairtrade se negó a nombrar a los supermercados involucrados, pero confirmó las conversaciones en curso. Fuentes cercanas al asunto dijeron a The Financial Times que Tesco y Sainsbury's también están participando.

Rio Frio, Banana Zone - CORTRABAM (Corporation of Banana Workers of Magdalena) linked to the farms of the Beatrice Flye de Mitchell S en C business group. Its marketer, C.I. Agrícolas Las Flores SAS, is pleased to announce the delivery of the first phase of 15 houses of the housing project, which consists in its entirety of 57 houses in which the contractor Constructora Poblar LTDA intervened with the design and construction and the supervision firm of Lettfalah Nader, Architects and Builders.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and Vellsam Materias Bioactivas, a top producer of biotechnological solutions, have announced a partnership. This collaboration aims to explore the potential of maximising the use of Fresh Del Monte's pineapple residues through the production of biofertilisers. The partnership, operating under the name De l'Ora Bio, is marking this collaboration with the inauguration of a fertiliser plant in Kenya, the first step in their bio fertiliser production venture.

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:

During week 20, banana selling prices in St Petersburg were approximately USD 24.90 per box CIF. These prices were subject to brand, quality, volume, and packaging variations. Traders predict a potential price decrease shortly due to the anticipated influx of large quantities of seasonal local fruit in the market, which consumers prefer over bananas during summer. Close to 880,000 boxes of bananas were unloaded, and an estimated 1.77 million boxes are projected for arrival in week 21. The exchange rate was 1 USD = 90.92 RUB. In the Mediterranean, prices for Ecuadorean bananas varied between USD 16.0 and 18.0 per box CIF, depending on brand, volume, region, and packing factors. Central American bananas were priced at around USD 2.0 per box less. In the Mersin Free Zone, the price range for Ecuadorean bananas was similar, ranging from USD 16.0 to around USD 18.0 per box for the re-exported fruit. However, there were opportunities for higher profits, with prices peaking at USD 19.0 per box for extra-quality fruit and heavy boxes of Ecuadorean bananas. Bananas from other origins maintained a lower price point, sold at around USD 2.0 per box less.

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The year 2023 was prosperous for Ecuadorian organic products, particularly bananas. These bananas solidified their presence in the European Union (EU), their primary market, which received more than half of this fruit's production, according to data from the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries.

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