The fruit and vegetable giant Orsero closed 2023 with revenues of 1.54 billion euros, an increase of 28.8% compared to the 1.2 billion of the previous year. Net profit stood at 48.1 million, with an increase of 15.7 million (approximately +48.3%) compared to 2022. The adjusted gross operating margin (EBITDA) rose to 107.1 million (+40.8 %), «settling within the guidance range (105-110 million) ». The board of directors proposed to the meeting called for April 29, a dividend of 0.60 euros per share, an increase of 71.4% compared to 2022.

Since its establishment in November 2022, Fruidor (Solveg group) has been operating at the ZAC d’Aquitaine in Saint-André-de-Cubzac. On March 5, the company welcomed Céline Maquet, the sub-prefect of Blaye. The state representative visited the premises along with several elected officials, including Valérie Guinaudie, president of the CdC du Grand Cubzaguais. Nicolas Rouet, the site director, showcased the impressive facilities that receive 26,000 tonnes of bananas annually, contributing to the group's total of 200,000 tonnes.

The longstanding partnership between Daikin Reefer and Chiquita has been a pillar of innovation and reliability in the global shipping industry. This collaboration, which began in 2018 with Chiquita's initial investment in Daikin's ZeSTIA units, has continuously evolved to meet the rigorous demands of perishable cargo transportation. Chiquita, a leading grower and distributor of bananas, operates a significant shipping fleet through the reputable ocean carrier Great White Fleet. With banana cultivation centres spread across Latin America, Chiquita primarily targets the North American export markets.

The Afrikanische Frucht-Compagnie (AFC) has purchased the former Inter Weichert site on Hamburg's Trostbrücke, a move necessitated by the city's rezoning of the wholesale market, which will soon affect the existing ripening plant. In April, the SFC Südamerikanische Frucht-Compagnie, a 100 per cent subsidiary of AFC, will commence operations. This new establishment will allow AFC to continue ripening bananas and other tropical fruits at its traditional location.

Facing pressure from European clients, particularly supermarket chains demanding lower prices, the Ecuadorian banana sector is striving to highlight the efforts made by stakeholders in the supply chain. For instance, they ensure a living wage is paid. The industry urges Europeans to adopt a Fairtrade methodology (Fairtrade) and pay a fair price for their bananas.

Vicente Wong, CEO of Reybanpac, a leader in the production and export of bananas in Ecuador, has no doubt that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Ecuador and China is beneficial agreement for the Andean country. Over the past two decades, China has experienced sustained economic growth, averaging 6.6% annual gross domestic product (GDP).

In St. Petersburg, banana selling prices fluctuated between USD 17.25 and USD 19.45 per box CIF. The price variation was contingent upon factors such as the brand, quality, volume, and type of packaging. Sales didn’t improve compared to the previous week. This stagnation in sales can be attributed to a need for stronger market demand. During week 10, approximately 1.35 million boxes of bananas were discharged, and around 2.02 million boxes are anticipated to be discharged in the 11th week. The prevailing exchange rate was 1 USD = 90.75 RUB during this period. In the Mediterranean market, Ecuadorian banana prices ranged from USD 17.00 to USD 18.00 per box CIF. These prices were influenced by various factors such as brand, region, volume, and packing. In contrast, Central American fruit was sold at a lower price, around USD 2.00 less per carton.

Ardashir Shahraki, the deputy head of the provincial agriculture department, has recently highlighted Iran's potential to transition from a banana importer to an exporter. This significant shift could be realized by doubling the area of banana plantations in the Sistan and Baluchestan provinces in the southeast. At present, the province boasts approximately 7,140 hectares of banana plantations. By expanding this area to 15,000 hectares, Iran could meet its domestic demand for bananas and export surplus produce to other markets.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Ecuador's banana exporters reported a 12% decline in exports to all their destinations in January. They attribute this drop to low production and the lack of signed contracts with international customers. Compared to January 2023, around 4.5 million fewer boxes of bananas were exported in the first month of the year.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in India has recently published the final estimates for the 2022-23 period and the first advance estimates for 2023-24, detailing the area and production of various horticultural crops. The data, compiled from information received from States, Union Territories, and other government sources, provides an insightful overview of the country's horticultural landscape.

Following Australia's announcement in February of this year that it would authorize the world's first genetically modified (GM) banana, the QCAV-4, resistant to Fusarium Race 4 or TR4, a news portal recently announced that Costa Rica could also introduce its first GM product to the market: a disease-resistant banana variety. According to the report, the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in San Jose revealed that the new variety would resist the Black Sigatoka and Fusarium Race 4 or TR4 wilt.

The associations of banana producers and exporters from Latin America and the Caribbean, representing Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Peru, advocate for adopting "FairTrade" practices. They hope retailers will embrace this methodology to calculate a fair price that factors in environmental sustainability efforts and fair wages.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan has requested Thailand to exhaust the existing import quota of 8,000 tonnes before applying for an increase. Under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), Thai bananas currently enjoy a tariff exemption for up to 8,000 tonnes. According to Narumon Pinyosinwat, the Thai trade representative, this quota is nearly exhausted.

Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) visited Costa Rica to carry out inspections in banana plantations and authorize the export of this product to its country, official sources recently reported. The Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and a banana company interested in starting shipments received the Chilean group, who visited both the production and packaging sites.

A horticulturist from Northland is on a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of one of New Zealand’s most beloved fruits - the banana. In 2022, New Zealand imported over 81,000 tonnes of bananas, accounting for about a third of all fresh produce imports, as reported by the sizeable pan-industry group United Fresh. However, Geoff Mansell, the orchard manager at Kotare Subtropicals, a wholesale nursery located in Maungatapere, southwest of Whangārei, envisions a future where consumers can enjoy locally grown bananas.