Weather and pests affect Dominican banana exports

This performance barely represents 43.7% of the exports registered in 2022 (USD 320.8 million). It is also below the annual average of 294 million dollars that the sector achieved in the last 10 years.

 

Imports from the European Union, the largest market for Dominican bananas, decreased by 27% up to November 2023, from 243,028 tonnes in 2022 to 177,136 tonnes. The decline is attributed to the Eriophyoidea mite, a pest that affected the country's plantations, causing leaf deformation and impacting fruit quality.

 

Last year's high temperatures hindered oxygenation of the plants, causing difficulties in early ripening. This resulted in claims from buyers amounting to $7 million due to fruit spoilage. In addition, the number of containers shipped weekly to Europe was reduced from 450 to 190.

Banana growers are concerned about the loss of market share and stress the need for policies to boost productivity, with seedlings that are more resistant to climate and pests, as well as improvements in land cover and biological diversity in plantations.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Bank and Adobanano are working on a proposal for the government to allocate funds of 6,000 million pesos over two years, in order to renew 50,000 banana plantations, maintain 200,000 plantations, invest in training and research for the sector. 

 

In addition, the extension of financing for banana growers to acquire certified products for the treatment of diseases and pests specific to organic bananas, as well as a one-year grace period for producers with debts, are also being considered. Last December, the Ministry of Agriculture allocated 54 million pesos for the purchase of pesticides and 70 million pesos for fertilisers.

 

 

 

 

fuente: diariolibre.com