Ecuador is one of the leading banana producers in the world. Banana export in Ecuador is estimated to be over 4 million tones per year. Banana export plays a vital in the economy of Ecuador.

Of the 22 Ecuadorian provinces, 99% of banana production is concentrated in three provinces, Los Rios, Guaya, and El Oro. The province with the highest banana production is Los Rios, followed by Guayas and then El Oro.

The three regions are characterized by favorable climates and deep fertile soils that support banana growth. The varieties of bananas grown in these areas include Cavendish, Plantain, Apple banana, and Orito.

The three province forms 12% of the total land mass in Ecuador (32,790 square kilometers) with a population of approximately 3.4 million people which is over a quarter of Ecuador’s population. Most residents in these regions reside in rural areas where they work in banana plantations.

Apart from bananas, other plants planted alongside bananas are coffee, cocoa, beans, sugarcane, and rice. It is estimated that around 148, 000 Ecuadorians work in banana plantations located in these three provinces. Some plantations are also owned by multinational companies such as Chiquita and Del Monte.

Banana crop is grown on private plantations which sell their bananas to the government or international companies such as Dole, Chiquita, Noboa, and Del Monte.

Banana production in Guyana

Banana production in Guyana is ever-fluctuating. As of 2021, banana production in Guyana stood at 17, 625 tones. In 2019, the production was 28,829 tones.

Banana production in Guyana reached the highest record in the year 2005 recording 26.6kt. The lowest record was in 1961 recording 3.00kt.

Banana production in El Oro

El Oro region has a population of 715,751 people. The region’s main economic activity is banana farming. The region contributes to a larger share of banana exports in Ecuador.

The region was known previously due to large deposits of gold. It is believed the name originated from the extraction of gold in that region. However, the region has evolved to become the leading banana producer in Ecuador.

Los Rios

This is the region with the highest banana production record in Ecuador. The region’s banana production is estimated to stand at 37.14%.

Background information on banana production in Ecuador

Banana cultivation in Ecuador started in 1910. Banana production was not a major activity in Ecuador until the end of the 2nd world war when the banana was embraced as a replacement for cocoa production that had collapsed in 1920 due to dwindling returns.

An exponential rise in banana production was witnessed in 1948 when president Galo Plaza rolled out measures to boost the development of the banana industry.

The measures that were put in place included price stabilization, offering agricultural credits and tariffs, disease control programs, and building ports and coastal highways.

The government efforts coupled with favorable environmental factors such as the absence of cyclones and hurricanes unlike in Central America where cyclones and hurricanes were frequently experienced, as well as the availability of cheap labor gave Ecuador a competitive advantage over other banana-producing countries.

In 1952, Ecuador became the highest exporter of bananas. Ecuador supplied 25% of world bananas in 1962. This exceeds the total banana quantity produced by all banana-producing countries in Central America.

The government of Ecuador put a fixed amount that must be paid to growers. This has cushioned small-scale and large-scale banana farmers from exploitation.