Banana exports from the Colombian Caribbean increase by 14%

Last year, Colombia exported 1.9 million tons of bananas, i.e. 0.8% more than in the previous year. 864,464 tons were exported from the Caribbean Region, which exported 14% more volume than in 2020, according to data from Asbama, the Association that brings together the banana growers of Magdalena, La Guajira, and the Caesar.

43% of the nation’s banana was exported through the Port of Santa Marta (higher than the 38% share of 2020), 1% was shipped through the port area of Cartagena, and 0.22% from Barranquilla. Exports peaked in the months of May and October.

The international marketer Tecbaco accounted for 46% of the volume exported from the Colombian Caribbean. This figure increased by 17% when compared to its participation in 2020. Banasan was the second company with the highest export with a 28% share.

The United States continues to be the main destination for the bananas shipped from the Caribbean Region. In 2021, banana exports to this destination increased by 33% over the previous year.

“These results show that the articulated work of the banana sector in the Caribbean region generated favorable results. In 2021, we implemented strict biosafety protocols that allowed us to continue carrying out our work in the midst of the pandemic with the latent threat of Fusarium R4T, which allowed us to continue working and contributing to the development of our region”, stated Jose Francisco Zuñigiga, the president of Asbama.