BANANAS BEAT RECORDS AS LEAD EXPORTS
Prime producer Dole Ecuador is actively involved in providing communities with the means to reap the fruits of development

Exporters are increasingly aware of the importance of working together regarding Ecuador’s social agenda.

Ecuador remains South America’s number-one banana producer and is holding up well despite the adverse conditions of an increasingly competitive global market. In turn, the crop provides around 33% of Ecuador’s trade, close to 4% of GDP and 20% of exports worth around US$900 million per year. The importance of bananas in the economy and the social relevance the cultivation of the omnipresent fruit has on the country are not to be underestimated.

The sector is made up of 117 companies – although just 20, including multinational giants such as the local Noboa, US-based Dole and Reybanpac, account for 80% of total production - employing as many as 3 million people directly and indirectly. The magnitude of the investment required for the industry is in the order of US$2.3 billion, according to Eduardo Ledesma, Executive Director of the Ecuadorian Banana Expor-ters Association (AEBE).

Renato Acuña Delcore, President of Dole Ecuador, says that his company spends around US$3 million in the sector every year, and the effort is paying dividends. Dole has more than five decades experience in the local market, and has turned its activities in Ecuador into a highly productive and profitable enterprise; the median figure for production nationwide is just half of Dole’s average of 2,400 boxes per hectare. The company has held ISO 14000 certification for the last five years proving that quality is not compromised.

“This year Ecuador will exceed 230 million boxes in exports, a new record,” says Mr. Acuña proudly. “Last year 211 million boxes were exported, which means that production has increased by approximately 10%. In this way, the country is consolidating its position not only as the leading producer, but also as the fastest growing in Latin America. We export around 50% of our total production to the US, about 25% to the European Union, and the rest, basically, to Eastern European nations,” Mr. Acuña reveals.

RENATO ACUÑA DELCORE President of Dole Ecuador

Ecuador is a cornerstone of Dole’s global strategy and the completion of the Bananapuerto fruit shipment terminal in Guayaquil has showcased its long-term commitment to the country. “We came to this country to grow bananas and tropical fruit 50 years ago. Ecuador has exceptional soil and climate conditions in its favor, as well as an excellent labor force. Dole is proud of its relationship with Ecuador, which we hope will continue in the future,” Mr. Acuña says With regards to social development, Dole Ecuador has created a foundation to support a range of community-oriented programs with a special interest in education and healthcare initiatives.

As the meeting point for the entire exporter spectrum, the AEBE has also become aware of a shift in the industry. As its Vice Director Raul Villacres confirms, “There has been a change in the exporter’s mind. Although they are competitors at the end of the day, they have an internal agenda to manage together. The number of members has grown and now the Association represents 90% of the country’s exporter force.”

Executive Director Eduardo Ledesma believes this enables AEBE to play a role in promoting social programs. “Exporters also invest,” he insists, “but there are other little-known aspects we have to commit to: the social aspect, for instance. The principal companies have a role in the social development of the communities and the cities and towns.”