Colombia’s Caribbean banana exports fell 32% as producers in Latin America want better pay to cope with climate crisis effects

Weather threatens banana harvests

Producers across Latin America say severe weather during this year’s super El Niño is expected to cut banana production. 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 year before.

The 1983 El Niño, among the strongest recorded, affected 15% of Ecuador’s planted banana area. The country’s banana exports dropped 36%.

Workers describe climate impacts

Ever Antonio Flores Muños, who works for Colombian banana producer Agrosiete, told Fairtrade that the climate had grown much hotter over the past decade. He described losses caused by flooding and strong winds. Flores Muños said the effects could put workers, colleagues and the wider sector at risk, with wages likely to decrease.

Prices and production costs

Sainsbury’s, the Co-op and Waitrose are among businesses that have voluntarily sourced only Fairtrade bananas, which guarantee a minimum price. Fairtrade says further action is needed.