Consequences of the volcanic eruption are important for the production of bananas

In Ecuador, the eruption of the Sangay volcano (5,230 m. Altitude) which occurred last weekend will have negative effects on the production and export of bananas.

 

 

 

Sangay is a Strombolian-type volcano and rises to 5,230 meters. It is located about 200 kilometers south of Quito. The volcano erupted Sunday, September 20, sending a plume of ash 10 kilometers above sea level. The eruption blanketed several neighboring provinces with ash.

 

 

 

According to the evaluations of AEBE (Asociación de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador) around 55,000 hectares of bananas have been affected by the fall of the ash of the volcano. The most affected provinces are Guayas and Los Rios.

 

 

 

It is still too early to make a real estimate of the damage, but 30% of the production of the 55,000 hectares affected by the ash will be lost.

 

 

 

For Aprobanec (Asociación de Productores Bananeros del Ecuador) the finding is more severe: "Depending on the level of incidence of the amount of ash, between 30 and 50% of the fruits to be harvested and packaged can be lost" underlined Mr. Byron Peredes, president of Aprobanec.

 

 

 

Professionals expect a drop in production in the coming weeks which will lead to a drop in exports.