Banana producers in Latin America want better pay to cope with effects of climate crisis
Summary
Banana producers in Latin America say extreme weather linked to El Niño is reducing harvests and exports, and are calling for buyers to pay prices that cover production costs. Fairtrade is urging the UK to address trading practices that leave farmers with low or late payments and limit their ability to prepare for severe weather.Key Facts
- High winds in Colombia and heavy rain in Peru and Ecuador are already affecting banana production, while drought is expected in parts of the Dominican Republic.
- Fairtrade research found that during the previous El Niño cycle, productivity fell 13% in the Dominican Republic, 22% in Ecuador and 6% in Peru compared with the prior year.
- Exports from Colombia’s Caribbean region fell 32% to $122 million between July and September, according to the Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira.
- The association said September shipments fell 42% year over year and export earnings dropped from $70 million to $40 million.
- Fairtrade is calling for UK legislation to address practices such as low or late payments and contracts that shift risks onto producers.
- Sainsbury’s, the Co-op and Waitrose are among businesses that voluntarily source only Fairtrade bananas, which carry a guaranteed minimum price.
- The article says supermarket banana prices have remained unchanged for almost 40 years despite rising costs for fertilizer, fuel and labor.
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