Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 hr ago
Latin American banana growers seek better prices as El Niño hits crops
The El Niño weather pattern is damaging banana crops across Latin America with heavy rain, strong winds and drought.
Growers in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic are facing different weather threats.
During a previous El Niño cycle, productivity fell by 13% in the Dominican Republic, 22% in Ecuador and 6% in Peru.
In Colombia’s Caribbean region, banana exports fell 32% between July and September, to $122 million.
Growers say low prices and rising costs threaten the industry’s viability, while climate-related losses also put workers’ wages at risk.
Fairtrade is urging the UK to address unfair trading practices so producers can invest in crops that better withstand extreme weather, pests and disease.
Some UK supermarkets already buy Fairtrade bananas, but producers are calling for fairer commercial terms across the market.
Banana growers in Latin America are seeking better prices as extreme weather linked to this year’s El Niño reduces production and raises costs.
Heavy rain in Peru and Ecuador, strong winds in Colombia and drought risks in the Dominican Republic are affecting crops.
Colombian Caribbean banana exports fell 32% to $122 million between July and September, according to a growers’ association.
Fairtrade says fairer trading conditions could help producers invest in resilience and protect the sector’s economic sustainability.
A Colombian banana worker and a Colombian plantain farmer described climate-related losses and risks to workers’ incomes.
- Who
- Banana producers in Latin America, including growers in Colombia, are seeking better prices.
- What
- They say extreme weather and rising production costs are harming crops and livelihoods, and are calling for commercial conditions that reflect production costs.
- When
- During this year’s El Niño event; Colombian Caribbean exports fell between July and September.
- Where
- Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
- Why
- Extreme weather is reducing production, while rising costs and falling export earnings are putting pressure on producers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Productivity fell by 13% in the Dominican Republic, 22% in Ecuador and 6% in Peru compared with the year before.
El Niño affected 15% of Ecuador’s planted banana area and exports fell 36%.
Colombian Caribbean banana exports fell 32% to $122 million.
Colombian Caribbean shipments fell 42% year on year, while earnings dropped from $70 million to $40 million.
- Colombian Caribbean exports
- Fell 32% to $122 million between July and September
- September shipments
- Down 42% year on year
- September earnings
- $40 million, down from $70 million
- Previous El Niño productivity change
- Dominican Republic: -13%; Ecuador: -22%; Peru: -6%
- Ecuador in 1983
- 15% of planted banana area affected; exports fell 36%
2 sources
What people are saying
we expect the impacts for producers to be more severe
Given the risks threatening the continuity of banana production, we are calling on international markets to foster commercial conditions that recognise actual production costs and contribute to the sector’s sustainability.
It’s going to affect all of us – our workers, colleagues – everything will be at great risk, and our wages will decrease.
Fair prices, climate resilience and decent work go hand in hand.