Latin American banana producers request better rates in the face of climate change impact
Banana producers in Latin America are facing significant production drops due to extreme weather phenomena associated with the El Niño cycle. Various associations and ethical trade organizations are calling for adjustments in purchase prices to ensure the sector's sustainability.
Adverse weather conditions, including droughts in Colombia and the Dominican Republic, as well as heavy rains in Peru and Ecuador, severely affected agricultural yields throughout 2026. The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira reported significant declines in export volume and revenue obtained during the third quarter.
Organizations such as Fairtrade and the Ethical Trading Initiative point out that a considerable proportion of suppliers operate with margins that do not cover basic production costs. Furthermore, retail prices in major destination markets have remained stable for decades despite inflation in the costs of fertilizers, fuel, and labor.
Given this scenario, sector representatives demand commercial practices that recognize the real costs of production and the investment needed to mitigate the risks derived from climate change, whose projection points to a potential reduction in suitable land for cultivation in the coming decades.
- Extreme weather events from El Niño reduce banana production in several Latin American countries.
- Exports from Colombia's Caribbean region registered significant year-on-year drops in the second half of 2026.
- Sector research indicates that a majority of suppliers face difficulties covering basic operational costs.
- Supermarket prices have remained without major long-term variations despite the increase in input costs.
Corroborates: Latin American banana producers request better rates in the face of climate change impact