Colombia has halted electricity exports to Ecuador as both countries grapple with depleted hydroelectric reservoirs. A drought in Colombia, fueled by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has compelled the Government to reduce the export of electricity to its neighbour, Ecuador, where an energy emergency has been declared. Speaking in Guayaquil on April 16, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa acknowledged the critical state of the country's energy sector. "Today we took a strong decision – once again we had to – which is to declare an emergency in the country's energy sector," Noboa stated.

The selling prices of bananas in St Petersburg improved compared to the previous week, driven by robust demand. The prices, which vary based on brand, volume, quality, and type of packaging, ranged from USD 20.70 to 21.80 per box CIF. In week 16, nearly 1.217 million boxes were discharged, and approximately 1.590 million boxes are expected for week 17. The prevailing exchange rate was 1 USD = 94.09 RUB. In the Mediterranean, Ecuadorean bananas were priced around USD 17.0-18.0 per box CIF, varying prices based on brand, volume, and region. Bananas from Central America or Colombia were sold at around USD 15.0-16.0 per box CIF. Prices remained high during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the subsequent Eid el Fitr holiday in Algeria where recently released import licenses for the quarter starting in April led to high expectations among shippers in the exporting countries and increased inquiries in the Chartering Market. Traders, however, faced scrutiny from the Minister of Commerce, who accused them of high selling prices and threatened them with sanctions. High temperatures in the Maghreb country jeopardized banana consumption as consumers preferred juicy fruit. The persistently high FOB prices at origin might discourage Algerian traders from committing to import bananas shortly. In the Mersin Free Zone, the prices for re-exported bananas of Ecuadorean origin were around USD 16.0-17.0, up to around USD 19.0 per box for extra quality and heavy boxes. For Central American bananas, the prices were around USD 14.0-16.0 per box.

The Association of Banana Producers Organizations of the Canary Islands (ASPROCAN) has requested that 100 per cent of the transportation costs of the Canary Islands Banana for 2023 be covered, as recognized by law, "and even more so when it represents an essential support for the continuity of the sector that is the engine of the Canary economy." In a statement, the banana producers expressed "their deep discontent".

The Agro-bio Association promotes biotechnology in Colombia and has emphasized its commitment to driving innovation and progress in its agricultural sector. It was evidenced in a series of events where genetically modified bananas by the British company Tropic Biosciences were presented. The conferences, organized by Agro-Bio, brought together about 500 students from five prominent universities in Bogotá, Medellín, Carepa, and Santa Marta, as well as banana producers from Antioquia and Magdalena.

Santa Marta is again preparing to welcome national and international experts and scientists. On May 23 and 24, at the Estelar Santamar Hotel and Convention Center, various topics related to banana cultivation, which began in Colombia 134 years ago, will be discussed. The banana agro-industry is preparing to host a new edition of the most significant event in this sector at the national level: the Second Caribbean Colombian Banana Congress. This event will occur at the Estelar Santamar Hotel and Convention Center on Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24.

Within the framework of International Banana Day (April 18), the Association of Banana Producers and Marketers of the departments of Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira (ASBAMA) in Colombia highlighted the need to guarantee a fair price for banana producers at the international markets. This is because the price trend in the European market, compared to its certification requirements, threatens the continuity of this agricultural sector in Latin America.

During a visit to Algiers at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the Minister of Commerce, Tayeb Zitouni, expressed dissatisfaction with the soaring prices, particularly of bananas. Indeed, he voiced his discontent about the recent increase in banana prices on the national market. Zitouni emphasized that this increase is unjustified, especially considering global prices do not exceed 0.5 dollars.

The U.S. has allocated USD 4.7 million to improve working conditions in banana plantations and the flower cultivation industry in Ecuador. On April 11, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it would allocate USD 4.7 million to promote fair working conditions for those working in banana plantations and the flower cultivation industry in Ecuador. The funds will be allocated to 'Partners of the Americas', a non-profit organization established in 1964 under the Alliance for Progress, driven by then-President John F. Kennedy.

Ecuadorian banana exporters to the Russian market have successfully implemented new phytosanitary protocols following the lifting of Russian restrictions, as reported to RIA Novosti by the ambassador of the South American nation in Moscow, Juan Fernando Holguín Flores. "Since the restrictions were lifted, the banana sector has successfully implemented new phytosanitary protocols, in coordination with the competent Ecuadorian authorities (Agrocalidad)," the diplomat stated.

Seatrade, the specialist reefer operator, is building six reefer container ships, marking a new phase in the reefer industry. The first of these ships has already been delivered. The Curacao-based Seatrade Group, under the leadership of chairman Yntze Buitenwerf, is expanding its modern reefer capacity to meet the growing demand for high reefer intake. The Seatrade Chile, a Liberian-flagged vessel with a capacity of 1,800 TEU, is equipped with 639 electrical plugs for refrigerated boxes, providing a reefer capacity of 1,278 TEU.

Banana selling prices in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 18.70 to 19.75 per box CIF, depending on brand, quality, volumes, and packing. Demand in most regions of the Russian Federation improved due to a decrease in fruit volumes from China and other origins other than Ecuador in Central Asian countries and former Soviet Union Republics. The conclusion of Ramadan also boosted banana consumption in Muslim territories. The exchange rate was 1 USD = 93.72 RUB. In the Mediterranean, prices were USD 16.0-17.0 per box CIF for Ecuadorian bananas, depending on the brand, volume, and region, with peaks up to USD 18.0 per box CIF in Libya for Ecuadorean bananas, while Central American bananas sold for around USD 2.0 less per box. In Algeria, prices remained high, reaching USD 2.0 per kg at retail. In the Mersin Free Zone, prices for re-exported bananas of Ecuadorian origin were USD 15.0-18.0 per box, depending on brand, quality, and volume, with peaks up to USD 19.0 per box for extra quality and high weight. Bananas from Central or Southern America were sold at USD 12.0-15.0 per box.

With a commitment to sustainability, Banacol leads the way in the banana industry, standing out for obtaining the carbon-neutral certification for two consecutive years. In the Urabá region, Banacol stands out for its agricultural production and leadership in sustainable environmental practices, an effort aligned with its mission to cultivate well-being for the community and the environment. This commitment has been recognized with carbon-neutral certification by the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) in 2022 and 2023, marking Banacol as a benchmark in Colombia's fight against climate change.

In 2023, Phu Tho will have 24 banana production unit codes for domestic consumption and nine banana production unit codes for export. Recently, the quality of Phu Tho bananas has improved, along with branding. According to information from the Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-Department of Phu Tho province, in 2023, the unit has issued 24 production unit codes to serve domestic consumption for over 300 ha of bananas, as well as coordinating with the Department of Plant Protection to issue 9 production unit codes for 250 ha of bananas for export.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is seeking a civil fine of US$63.3 million against the Swiss-Italian Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The FMC alleges that MSC "knowingly and willfully" violated the U.S. Shipping Act during the Covid pandemic, according to a report by London's Lloyd's List. The FMC Office of Enforcement has also requested an administrative law judge to issue a cease-and-desist order against MSC due to its alleged "blatant disregard for the Shipping Act".

The Vado Gateway terminal aims to become one of the main hubs of automotive logistics. With the establishment of the Vehicle Logistic Vado company, a result of an agreement between the Fratelli Cosulich group and XCA (a company in turn formed by the collaboration between Arcese Trasporti and Conti), a commercial line is launched to import motor vehicles from China and use the quays of the Vado port as a gateway to Europe.