Moko and Sigatoka hit Ecuador’s plantain, exports drop 35%

Ecuador’s plantain exports are shrinking fast, with quality issues and crop diseases cutting into international supply. From January to July 2025, the country exported 6.74 million boxes of fresh plantain, a 5.28% decline in revenue compared with the same period in 2024. The drop has deepened steadily, from −2.64% in May to −2.82% in June.

According to Asoexpla director Eduardo Manrique, overall export volumes are down about 35%, as pests such as moko and Black Sigatoka have affected more than 30% of plantations, reducing both yield and quality.

The United States, Ecuador’s top buyer, absorbed 81.68% of shipments (5.51 million boxes) but still registered a 2.94% fall, equal to 170,000 fewer boxes than in 2024. Competitors such as Guatemala and Colombia are stepping in to capture U.S. demand.

Processed plantain continues to grow for now, with 29,690 tons exported Jan–Jul 2025, up from 24,580 tons a year earlier (≈20% growth). But exporters warn that negative effects will soon hit this segment too, as companies are already scaling back production lines and staff.

Looking ahead, Asoexpla projects a 10–15% contraction in fresh-plantain exports for 2025. With 153,000 hectares planted and domestic consumption at around 40 kg per capita, supply pressures are expected to remain high.

The sector is urging the government to accelerate technical mapping of affected zones, provide credit and incentives for farmers, and authorise new plantings under strict sanitary standards. Progress has been made, but growers say the pace is too slow to tackle what they describe as a serious production crisis.

source: eluniverso.com

photo: artisantropic.com