The banana shortage has driven up prices and is causing concern among the export sector.

The plantain production chain is facing a critical situation due to the shortage of the fruit and the surge in prices, which is already affecting the domestic market and putting exports at risk. Representatives of the sector are preparing for a technical roundtable with agricultural authorities, scheduled for June 27, where they expect to define a roadmap for recovery.

According to Agrocalidad data, more than 889 hectares have been affected by pests such as moko and sigatoka, with Manabí and Santo Domingo among the most impacted provinces. The reduction in productivity is already beginning to affect export volumes, which decreases the international competitiveness of the Ecuadorian product.

From the Plantain Exporters Association, its director Eduardo Manrique stated that it is urgent to update the sector's official figures and authorize new plantings, which have been prohibited by law since 2022. They also propose differentiated loans, incentives to recover crops, and the development of a national technical assessment.

"We can't limit a product with such high local and external demand," Manrique emphasized, noting that per capita plantain consumption in Ecuador is 40 kilograms (88 pounds), compared to 2.8 kilograms (6.2 pounds) for bananas. He also highlighted that the growth of agribusiness and the restaurant industry has driven the use of this essential input.

The pressure from the productive sector highlights the need for immediate action to ensure domestic supply and sustain exports. With the arrival of the technical roundtable, a key opportunity opens to address a crisis that affects both the rural economy and urban consumers.