5 Ecuadorian banana exporters at risk of suspension from Russian market

According to Ecuadorian media, Russia has requested the suspension of certification for 5 banana exporters from Ecuador starting from February 5. The industry is already taking steps to prevent this measure.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia posted the news on its website, prompting exporters to urge the Ecuadorian Embassy to verify the information. 

According to Richard Salazar, the executive director of the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), they haven't received anything officially yet, but since it's already posted on the portal, they've asked the ambassador and the commercial office of Ecuador in Moscow to make inquiries to confirm the statement. 

The halt in exports is allegedly linked to technical issues, specifically the reported presence of fruit flies in shipments of bananas. This affects 5 companies out of the over 20 currently exporting to Russia.

Salazar explained that these are technical concerns that Agrocalidad, Ecuador's agricultural quality control agency, must address and petition to suspend this measure.