Banana Export English Edition

Edition

Banana Event

most important of the Region

edition special

Market Analysis / Business / Technology / News and Updates

Acorbat 2010: Banana the star Bananas traceability with new version of Banaxass Green Banana American Continent Pesticide industry concentrated bargaining power

La manera inteligente para controlar Sigatoka negra

MÁS CONTROL MAYOR PRODUCCIÓN • Eficacia curativa comprobada • Aumenta el número de hojas funcionales, lográndose mayores rendimientos en cosecha • Herramienta eficaz para el manejo de la resistencia • No deja residuos • Sin limitaciones de intervalo de pre cosecha • Sin limitaciones de reingreso • Inocuo para insectos benéficos • Amigable al ambiente • Carga tóxica nula • Certificado por asociaciones orgánicas de primera línea

CURATIVO . PREVENTIVO www.stockton-ag.com

Stockton Ecuador S.A. Ave. del Bombero Km. 7,5 Telef: (04) 2873132 info@stocktonecuador.com

Edición No. 33 Nov. 2010

to Bananeron El Evenrta po nte de la Regió mas im po

ediciónl ia espec ia

ias y Actualidad

Análisis

/ Tecnología / Notic de Mercados / Empresas

la gran estrella Acorbat 2010: Plátano de Banaxass nos con nueva versión Trazabilidad en Bana verde Bananero nte tine América el Con negociación de er pod a as concentr Industria de Plaguicid

Content The nineteenth edition of the International Meeting of the Association for Cooperation inresearch and Integral Development of the Musaceae (Banana and Plantain), Acorbat 2010 there is initiated in the middle of the great expectations of a booming industry, which involves thousands of farmers around the world and business leaders input agriculture and services, which contribute their bit for the growth and consolidation industry's green gold, as it once was called the production and export of bananas.

America the Green Continent Banana From the North in the U.S., to the south in Argentina, there is banana, or at least it appears in official statistics of the FAO. And in the case of the U.S., this country is a net importer as well as Canada and Mexico itself, has the representation of the two largest importers and distributors of fruit in the markets: Chiquita Brands and Dole.

This situation has earned him even getting into the fight banana tariffs with the EU. Which is a major force when settling the conflict. However, the countries that are net producers are a little down: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, to name the most important, because at the time had joined some others in the region as is the case Brazil itself, which is second largest producer of bananas in the world, but its exports are still marginal in Europe or America.

Pag 20

Bananas traceability with new version of Banaxass The myth of the banana field traceability was a utopia elusive finally seems to come to an end after the signing Agrosoft, llar developing the Banaxass software.

Initially this software was to demystify the field activity by recording every

Pag 31

ACORBAT 2010

President Mr. Enrique G贸mez G. Manager Eco Francisco Charcopa P. Editor Atty. Kleber Exkart Rubio Director Edition Atty. Ruben Martinez Bastidas

Acorbat 2010 is the result of a long, hard work and union business, which has been combined on one hand the interests of a nation at all costs atavistic looking out of the quagmire of a civil war not declared, but no less bloody and on the other side of the relationship has matured business associations in a reengineering process in which forces are not measured, but used the strengths of each of the actors: the case of the banana marketing companies and producers musacea of Colombia.

Editorial Board Capt. Giuseppe Antonio Alo茅 Mr. Julio C. Tanca Mr. Alfredo Saltos Guale Eco Jorge Mu帽oz Contralm. Andrew M. Arrata

This has made more than once not only reap success in the business, which can be measured by product positioning banana and plantain in Colombia in international markets, but also other less visible accomplishments, but by no any less important.

DIRECTORY

Concept Graphic Design and Layout Mr. Enrique Izquieta Executive Secretary Ms. Lilibeth Campos Exkart "Banana Export", is published of Corpuagro.Las statistical figures are provided by the USAD. The name of Banana and sulog Exporty are registered trademarks. All rights reserved publicaci贸nn, being able to use the content with the express permission of the publication.

Legal Counsel Ab. Carlos Campi Guayaquil Offices Lorenzo de Garaycoa 821 and 9 de October 4. Floor Office # 407 Telephone: 285 6435 / 230 6567 Mobile: 081-059848 Mail: bananaexport@easynet.net.ec, info@bananaexport.com Web: www.bananaexport.com

These are related to production processes and social integration of agricultural workers in the main banana: Uraba and Magdalena, where they settle the largest areas of cultivation.

AUGURA, which is not itself a union only of producers, because it also brings together the most important companies marketing the fruit of Colombia, I scan in their area of influence and Magdalena Antioquia long ago, I could not live divorced from the main actor exportable wealth producer and farm worker, has since been working shoulder to shoulder with all those, who want to hand in their improvement.

In his long journey in these matters has some support tools such as Cenibanano, its investigative arm, Banatura its Environmental Management program, PPP Alliance, a program to support small producers who run in coordination with the Dutch government and foundations marketing companies and finally REPCar Project, which provides for the reduction of pesticide use that may affect the Caribbean Sea. For these reasons and others, the appointment of Colombia and Medellin to host the most important event of the world banana industry, the ACORBAT, was a designation based on tangible results, that a union can show leadership and achievement of corporate governance framed in the collective benefit to the productive activity of a development center that everyone wants in this nation.

5

Lessons 30 - S must have exhausted other forums for dialogue to seek a correction. But why did not it?.

t is not good to add fuel to the fire, but as I said many, many years ago, Martin Niemรถler "First they took the Communists but I do not care because I was not" make me look the other way could cause when they come for me, it's too late.

I

The Ecuador experienced last September 30, which has been called the black Thursday, which was tried by force to force President Rafael Correa, iso facto repeal of the Public Servant Law, which in the opinion of the belligerent rants police troop members violates rights won over many years of service.

What could have been an attempted uprising quickly became a near kidnapping of the president. What caused these tragic events?. Most political analysts suggest that the President should never have gone to Quito Regiment # 1, where the rebels were. This task should have been entrusted to someone of a lower hierarchy. However, the momentum, to say the least of the citizen Rafael Correa, took him to the lion's mouth, supposedly to try to explain the inexplicable, had not been cast in several months of lobbying among members of the police and legal representatives Country Alliance.

The rooster on the bottle that has used the national government to all sectors of the country, may have caused the heating of the souls of the cops who no longer rely on the formation of committees to address the issues in dispute, since they all end with presidential imposing their views with signatures or the president vetoes.

Lcdo. Kleber Exkart Rubio

The president believes that the nation is her back yard and he can sing in all houses. Your finicky this time not only voice that tried to justify the Civil Servant Law to an audience angry, but when he could not convince you about challenging, confrontational. When we arrived the cries of liar, HP and more insulting, as is typical of Hollywood convoy tore his shirt, to put the chest in search of martyrdom, which obviously is not there.

Your neighborhood rogue attitude is far from the presidential inauguration entrusted the Republic. We have done much damage and has left a deep The discomfort of the police and wound and resentment in one of the military, not the heads of these estates of the police, called to safeguard branches of the Armed Forces, whose the established law and order in a dispensations are greater with every democracy. If you still have some government that comes into being. dignity should be followed up to death Discontent is rasa troops, those who or waive cross his presidency. His figure play the skin on the streets of major of state was very bad off, but has cities or the military who go to the garnered international solidarity in border. These are the ones that are rejecting the democratic breakthrough unprotected or poorly paid, they are that could lead. what tell the president samba Canute in a clash bis bis, as he likes to Rafael. Rejected as a Democrat I am the subjuDoes not every Saturday rants against gation of members of the police to anyone who believes it is his enemy?. citizen president. I understand that they 6

I think those who were not on the agenda of the police the worst overthrow the government and kill him.

If they had really wanted to do what had to shot. There was confusion on the part of the military once had a rabbit in hand. It was a real hot potato, do not know what to do with it, but again I think it done, who was not on the agenda of the police the overthrow of Rafael Correa and worse to have her body as a trophy.

The 30-S as they have called some of the media should leave lessons to all citizens of the country, but especially the citizen President of the Republic, who breathes through the wound and apparently has no desire to change, judging by their immediate Speaking after the shameful events, that left some dead and dozens injured. Will he return to be subjected to humiliation by a social group, or assembly of the country?.

That alone is the responsibility of economist Rafael Correa. The Republic synderesis required. We do not choose star, do not choose Christ, do not choose a leader, chose not insulter, disqualifying. The people chose the President and meanings in any language, this title says it has the absolute power.

Acorbat 2010: Banana the star

T

he nineteenth edition of the International Meeting of the Association for Cooperation in Research and Development Comprehensive Musa (Banana and Plantain), 2010 is given Acorbat launched amid great expectations of a booming industry, involving thousands of farmers around the world and business leaders of agricultural inputs and services, contributing their bit to the growth and consolidation of the industry green gold, as once was called the production and export of bananas.

Colombia, was nominated for the third time host of the Acorbat and hosted the event in Medellin. The previous two times were in 1987 and 2002. It should be noted the great efforts of the organizers starting Augura, who made the proposition of the organization Acorbat in the previous edition being unanimously accepted your order. The effort was also supported by the city authorities appointed seat, MedellĂ­n, stressing the promotion of your hosting infrastructure, security, business acumen and experience in managing large events.

Plaza Mayor in MedellĂ­n is the meeting point of the world banana industry from 8 to 12 November 2010. You do not have spared no effort to welcome over one thousand visitors from 40 countries Acorbat members, among them researchers, scientists, producers, engineers, agronomists and businessmen from different branches of the banana industry .

History Acorbat The Acorbat born of the situation in the Caribbean and Latin American countries, which have a common culture of production, which crossed the 60 problems with the crop. So some of these led to a meeting in 1964, called Porel IFAC and the French government.

The meeting was held on Isla Guadalupe and it was attended by scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and economists from the Caribbean and the most important production regions of the musacea.

At this meeting it was agreed that based on the generality of joint problems that crossed the participants, self-summoned The International Convention Centre, periodically to enable the institutions of

7

the region related to the banana research, to cooperate in some technical work in order to reduce costs and avoid duplication efforts. The idea calo among participants and in November the same year of 1964, gathered in Puerto Rico. The meeting was attended by thin Latin American countries, delegates of Jamaica's banana Department, University of Puerto Rico, representatives of IFAC, the WIBAN or Banana Growers Association Windward Islands, delegates from the University of the West Indies Trinidad and representatives of the Government of Suriname, on the whole unit criteria and formed the Association of banana researchers in the region, which would distinguish the ACORBAT markings.

Their first representatives were the lords of the IFAC MH Guyot, President and Mr. MP Subregional, the same institution as Secretary-Treasurer. In September 1965, became operational Acorbat. The organization was duly incorporated as an association on 12 July 1966. Currently has 533 members. Colombia is one of the most important members whose contributions through Cenibanano research has earned him a prominent place in the Association.

REUNION I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX

PAIS

CIUDAD

FECHA

Santa Lucia Jamaica Martinica Panamá Ecuador Islas de Guadalupe Costa Rica Colombia Venezuela México Costa Rica República Dominicana Ecuador Puerto Rico Colombia México Brasil Ecuador Colombia

Castries Kingston Fort de France Ciudad de Panamá Guayaquil Phota Pietre San José Santa Marta Mérida Villa Hermosa San José Santo Domingo Guayaquil San Juan Cartagena Oaxaca Joinville Santa Catarina Guayaquil Medellín

25 al 27 de Mayo 1969 12 al 16 de Julio 1917 20 al 25 de Mayo 1974 21 al 24 de Mayo 1979 22 al 27 de Junio 1981 15 al 21 de Mayo 1983 21 al 27 de Noviembre 1985 27 de Septiembre al 2 de Octubre 1987 21 al 29 de Septiembre 1989 03 al 08 de Noviembre 1991 13 alk 18 de Febrero 1994 27 al 31 de Octubre 1996 23 al 29 de Noviembre 1998 31 de Julio al 4 de Agosto 2000 27 de Octubre al 02 de Noviembre 2002 26 de Septiembre al 01 de Octubre 2004 15 al 20 de Octubre 2006 10 al 14 de Noviembre 2008 8 al 12 de Noviembre 2010

Acorbat A Ac cor orba at ag a agenda gen enda nd da a

mostly consumed as green in different recipes. The ripe fruit comes in fried food and desserts of thousands of Sinc Si nce nc e the th he advent a vent ad ve ent o the he Si iga gato ato oka ka iin n th he de d deca eccaade de o tthe he 50 0 homes worldwide. Their contribution is a global food prodSince off th Sigatoka the decade off th pr revvio ous u ccentury en e ntu turyy aand n m nd ore re or ece cent ntlyy w itth tth he em eemergence mer erge e rg ge enc nce uct being the fourth most important after citrus. nce previous more recently with the of black of bla lack ckk Sigatoka, Sig igat atok at oka, ok a, iitt sse eem ems that ems th hat aallllll rresearchers esea es se eaarche rche rc herrss h ave turn av ttu urn rned ned ed seems have turned The appointment of Acorbat 2010, will conclude with a to ow ork on or on ffinding in ndi ding ding g a vvaccine accci c ne ffor or ccultivation. or ulti ulti ul tiva ivati vattiion. va on o n. work picnic in Urabá, the broker's most important banana A sa ssample am mp ple e o hiss siz ssize izze h ha avve e b een th ee he cco on ncclave lavve la es o es off tthe he h e Colombia, which was once the scene of fighting gastroinoff th this have been the conclaves Ac A co orrbaat, t, w h rre he e3 32% 2% %o he lect le eccttur ures es h aavve to ttouched ou ucche ed on on the the he testinal ailments of armed groups in Colombia, the FARC Acorbat, where off th the lectures have subj su bjec ect of, of, or of or otherwise oth he errwi wise e referred re efferr erred er rre ed to to leaf lea eaf streak stre st eakk virus viirru uss in in the th he and the group for the military. Today is the promise banana subject Colombia. paast p ast st 20 20 years. year year ye a ss.. past Accor orba bat 20 2 2010 010 1 , without with with wi thou out ut neglecting neg ne glleccting ttiin ng g this thi his important im mpo port orttaan nt Acorbat 2010, cco on nccer ce errn in in the th he e sector secto eccto or has has sought, ha soug so ught ht, in ht in the th he e opinion opi pini nion on of of concern the President th Prres P res e id iden ent of of Augura, Aug gu urrra, a Mr. a, Mr.r. Roberto Rob ober erto to Hoyos, Hoy oyos osss,, give o giive g ve the prrom p prom omin inen inen in encce e to to the tth he cultivation cult cult cu ltivvat atio atio on of of banana, baan nan ana, na, a, so so it it has haass prominence dessiig de gn nat ate ed d Tuesday, Tue uesd s ay ay, November Nove No vem vemb mb be err 9 as as the th he day day of da of this th hiis is designated scie sc ciie enttiiffic ic crop, crro op, p, due due e to to food fo ood od and and nd economic eco c no omi mic imporimp im po orscientific tanc tanc ta n e in in tthe he w he orld or ld. tance world.

Maan M nyy cconferences on o n nfe fe erenc ren re ncce ess h ave av eb be een n ssch ched ch edul du ulled ed. d. Here He H ere re a few: few: ew w: Many have been scheduled.

Develo Deve De vve elo opm pmen ent of of innovations inn nnovvat atio ion nss for for or the the e integrated integ ntteg e ra rate te ted ed Development man ma naag ge em me ent ent nt of of banana b na ba nana na diseases, dissea ease ases, se es, s, by

by Elizabeth Eliz El izab abetth management Állva Á varez re ez lecture lle ect ec ctur ctur ure "Sustainable ure "Sus "S usta tain tain inab a lle e Production Pro rod du d ucttion ion Systems", io Syystte em mss"", Álvarez Dr.r. Federico Dr FFe ede deri rico o Ayuso, Ayyu usso o, banana bana ba naana na trees, trre ees ees es, coffee es, coffe co ffee ff ee plantations plaant ntat atio tio onss Dr. in Latin Lat atiin n America, Ame meri eriica, ccaa, strategies ssttraate teg giies g e for fo orr improving impro mpro mp rovi ovi ving ng their their he eir ir in produc pr od o duc uct cttiiviity ty, profitability ty, prrof p ofiittab abilit ililitty and and sustainability; an ssu ust staaiinabi nabi na bilility bili ttyy; panels pane pa anels ne n els ls productivity, ge g ene nerate rated ra ted from te fro fr om m waste was aste ste banana ban a an ana agribusiness ag grriiibu busine bu siiness ne n esss Urabá Ura rabá abá bá generated Colo Co lomb mbia mbia ia, among amon am ong others. otthe o hers rs. rs.

Colombia, The banana Th baana b nana is is a musacea musa mu sace ceaa like ce lilike lik ke bananas, baan nan anas as, s, the the fruit th f ui fr uit is is The 8

SUSTAINABLE AGRO SOLUTIONS Ctra. N-240 Km 110. 25100 Almacelles (Lleida) EspaĂąa. www.greencareby-sas.com. ricardo.rodriguez@greencareby-sas.com

Plandak

Natural alternative to control Black Sigatoka B

lack Sigatoka caused by the fungus (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) is the most important disease in banana and plantain plantations worldwide. The loss of sensitivity of the pathogen due to the frequent use of the few active substances on the market and weather conditions optimum for pathogen development by the countries-exporters of banana producers, have made the control of black Sigatoka is each increasingly difficult and costly for the banana industry. The banana industry requires effective alternatives to help manage the black Sigatoka. Current research is focused on solutions based on improving genetics, cultural practices imple

mentation, the search for new synthetic active substances and activation of natural defense system of plants (SAR) by the induction and production of phytoalexins.

Sustainable Agro Solutions SA for 5 years developing the product is natural elicitor, phytoalexins activator for bananas, Plandak, the natural alternative for black Sigatoka control within an integrated management program and support for the reduced use of agrochemicals . Efficacy trials in the laboratory and field trials in Colombia and Costa Rica Plandak demonstrate the effectiveness of the control of the disease. Action protectant of Plandak is presented as an alternative for organic banana production as a complement to

Graf 1. ABCEP por paĂ­ses.

conventional systemic fungicides to control black Sigatoka.

The results obtained during these years of development show the effectiveness of Plandak compared to conventional protectant fungicides. In 2010, trials were conducted during the rainy season in Colombia and Costa Rica to the Great Dwarf variety. None of the tests performed at different doses was observed toxicity symptoms due to the application of Plandak. In analyzing the results of the SLT (Single Leaf Test) showed that Plandak treatments showed a decrease of area under the curve Epidemic.

ABCEP compared to conventional treatments and in some cases, this decrease was significant (p <0.05) (Graf.1). In Costa Rica Plandak significant differences in the percentage of Sigatoka leaf area compared to conventional protectant fungicides at 50 days after a single application (Graf 2).

In Colombia the results at 25 days after a single application for the percentage of Sigatoka leaf area were similar to those obtained in Costa Rica (Graf 3).

Are currently conducting trials in which already includes Plandak in a conventional rotation plan of fungicides for control of black Sigatoka disease under different management systems of the disease and in different climatic zones Costa Rica - Ecuador and Colombia .

Graf 2. % A. Foliar SN en CR.

Graf 3. % A. Foliar SN en CO.

Banana Production Situation Analysis 1985 - 2010 S

This is basically because most of the world banana production, nearly 85% comes from relatively small plots and kitchen gardens where no statistics.

weet banana production has been increasing steadily since the 80's.

Some important peaks of this growth occurred from 1985 to 2000. Annual production increased by 49%, from 42.5 million tons in 1985 to 1987 to 63.4 million tons in 1998 to 2000.

The increase was due, first, the sustained growth of the cultivated area and to a lesser extent to increase performance. Between 1985 and 2000, the area increased by 30% from an average of 3.1 million hectares to more than 4 million hectares in turn increased the average yield of 13.7 tons per hectare to 15.8 tonnes per hectare.

El panorama de la producción mundial ha partir de esa época ha sufrido pocos cambios significativos.

El mayor salto en superficie la ha dado Ecuador. Actualmente se estima sobrepasa las 200.000 hectáreas según estimaciones del Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadría y Pesca, (Magap).

From 1995 to 2002 the growth of acres planted was 17%, from 3,824,000 to 4,476,000 hectares. However, the growth from 2001 to 2002 was just 1.5%. If the projection for 2015 will remain an area of approximately 6 million hectares of Cavendish bananas in the world.

The performance metric ton per hectare has been a jump in the period from 1985 to 2002 of 16% from 13.46 metric tons per hectare to 15.61 tonnes. Clear that in some periods, the performance has been affected by exogenous climate effects on production.

La superficie y productividad en losinmediatos competidores, Costa Rica yColombia en los subsiguientes al cuadroestadístico muestran una latencia tantoen superfice como en productividad, como resultado de factores climáticos adversos.

69,000,000 eight hundred thirty-two thousand tons in 2002. Growth forecasts for production are more conservative for 2015 and estimated that it only grows by 12%, reaching the 7 million tonnes.

Totals differ planting banana plantations The variable production if triggered during for exports. These are estimated at more the same period by 74% to exceed 40 million than 9 million hectares in the world and eighty-eight thousand tons in 1985 to the 2001 production of 99 million tonnes.

11

In these figures are cook ing bananas, w h i c h i n c l u d e bananas and o t h e r sub-varieties such as Pisang Awak in Asia. The Cavendish subgroup represents approximately 47% of world production.

For economic analysts of the sector has been very difficult to quantify the money that moves the crop, because only the seventh of the bananas produced reach the international market. This is approximately 17 million tonnes. They believe that the banana business currently worth about 12 billion dollars.

Latin America region more export atin America is the leading region for production of Cavendish, followed by Asia.

The main producer of Cavendish bananas is India, followed by Ecuador, China, Colombia and Costa Rica.

L

These 5 countries together account for more than half of world production of Cavendish.

Approximately 32% of the total crop is exported Cavendish. The leading countries are Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia. In Asia, the largest exporter is the Philippines, in Africa, Cameroon and C么te d'Ivoire, and in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and the Windward Islands.

However, not all countries in each region had a similar behavior between 1985 and 2002. In Latin America, for example, the Ecuadorian shipments surged between 1988 and 1997, while in Costa Rica and Colombia's exports increased moderately, and decreased in Panama and Honduras.

In the Caribbean, and after the initial increase in exports in nearly every country in the late eighties, in the Windward Islands and Jamaica exports declined from the mid-nineties. Exports from the Dominican Republic increased from the late nineties, and the country has now become the largest exporter of bananas in the Caribbean.

Within the group of fruits and vegetables, banana exports remained of fundamental importance for the whole period from 1985 to 2002.

The share of bananas in the value of world exports of fruits and vegetables remained relatively stable, nearly 4 percent between 1985 and 2001.

The comparison with other traditional fruits such as citrus, whose share declined from 21 percent in 1985 to 15 percent in 2001, is favorable rable.

Not so, however, compared to frozen vegetables increased 1.9 percent in 1985 to 3.1 percent in 2001

The banana sector analysts, point out that in 2011 as a result of the negotiations of FTAs signed by Central American countries and Latin American countries: Peru and Colombia, the outlook for exports vary with clear benefits for the signatories to the FTA. Ecuador is the only country leading supplier of bananas that has not signed an FTA with Europe.

12

Costa Rica's second largest exporter Banana World T

his Central American country is the second largest exporter of bananas in the world. In 2008, he managed to regain its historic 100 million boxes, which had been pushing for some five years ago and that by not reaching climatic disasters, but also due to climatic factors of production in 2009 fell again to 87 million boxes.

Currently, the planting area is 42,595 hectares, has been a decline from the decade of 2000 to approximately 13%. In 2000 the planting area of 48,887 hectares bordered.

ties and ensures year-round employment.

Like Ecuador, this Central American country devotes most of its production to the U.S. market, and the European Union. In 2009, there was little variation where they exchanged the fate of the EU banana., Imported and USA 53.5%, 41.5%, when historically the United States had been for many the largest importers tico fruit.

competitor Ecuador, because they do not pay costs of the Panama Canal and has lower freight costs.

Market Outlook

Recently the country's private researchers developed a molecule, derived from microorganisms, which activates the defense system of banana plants and virtually the "vaccine" against black Sigatoka.

The molecule to which we have called BAM-1 is not a living organism, but a substance derived from them, so it has the advantage of not being influenced by the weather or displaced by other microorganisms.

With the signing of FTA with the EU, producers expect the Costa Rican banana market consolidates.

Europe receives the cargo of bananas in the ports of Belgium, Italy, UK, Germany and Sweden, while in the U.S., the download is done through the East Coast.

This country enjoys a healthy productivity has rounded average of 2500 hectares boxes years and the goal of producers is to raise even more. In the context of foreign trade my Costa Rica has been linked to two products: coffee and bananas.

Banana involved since 2000 with a Costa Rica has clear advantages in history of five hundred to six competitiveness against its main hundred million dollars. In the past year 2009, foreign exchange earnings from banana exports amounted to little more than $ 626 million, 7.4% less compared to 2008.

In 2009, banana exports accounted for 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and contributed 7.1% of the country's revenues from sales abroad.

This industry is the largest generator of employment in agriculture in Costa Rica, it is estimated that the average is a direct worker in production per hectare and at least two additional employees in the industry related activities.

According to official figures in 2009 employing 34 000 workers. It is an activity which by its nature better pay their workers a higher average agricultural wage of the other activi13

Another strength of this country is investing in research. Have to be some complacency in this area that have worked with extreme scientific rigor in areas such as fertility and nutrition, plant pathology, nematology, tissue culture, soil and drainage of soil microbiology and agronomy.

Colombia: War Zone Urabá to region Banana

olombia ranks third in world exports of fruit and is in the banana business for two centuries when, in 1885, Mr. José Manuel González Bermúdez, started the banana crop in the seed Magdalena variety Goss brought Michel Panama.

planted to fruit crops. About 16 percent of the area planted to bananas is "Creole bananas" grown for the domestic market [and the rest is bananas for export. Antioch contains almost 70 percent of the area planted to bananas and most bananas for export. The Gros Michel bananas Today Colombia's banana industry is for dessert are still produced good developed in this same area of the results in Colombia in upland areas Magdalena and Urabá. The latter place and sold in the domestic market. is considered the promised land of bananas and take strength from the Colombia is another country that sixties of the previous century in the achieved the signing of an FTA with municipalities of Chigorodó, Carepa, the EU., And will cut its tariffs to 75 Apartado, Turbo, called bana-nero euros MT., In the coming years. Like axis. Hectareaje In 2009 was 44,500 Ecuador and Costa Rica most imporhectares. The export volume was 96 tant markets are the U.S., North million boxes and foreign exchange America and Europe. Together these reached 705 million dollars. two markets exports 80% of its production. The private sector has an Banana crops in Colombia occupy important linkage with the public approximately 5.7% of the total area sector in improving competitiveness

C

14

and productivity of the crop.

The private sector has continued to promote friendly technologies for the environment, which include techniques that reduce chemical use, improving water management and control of soil erosion.

Recently the guild of the Association of Banana Growers of Colombia (Augura), won the Exporter Cooperation and Proexport Analdex, is recognition, in testimony to the union president, Ricardo Hoyos, was a dream that Augura, stroking coming years . The truth is that today Colombia, has a thriving banana industry that competes very well in foreign markets with quality and volume. The signing of FTA with Europe, will boost its exports to paritr 2011, estimated its producers.

Other countries in Latin America Guatemala

Bananas in Guatemala, Honduras and Panama contribute substantially to the economies of these countries and is an important source of export earnings and employment. However, global production in these countries has remained relatively stagnant over the last 15 years (1985-2000) due to the detrimental influence of weather-related phenomena, industrial disputes, crop diseases, increasing production costs and depressed banana prices.

Since 2000, there was a significant recovery in production and exports, especially in Guatemala and Honduras, which were hit in late 1998 by Hurricane Mitch. Exports also rose significantly in 2002 and the outlook for a bumper crop for 2003.

Most recent statistics reported a sustained recovery for Honduras. In 2008 the export value totaled U.S. $ 383.8 million, the highest in this decade.

Boxes exported 30.3 million, 600 thousand more than the previous year. The directors of the Standard Fruit Company and the Tel Railroad Company, said recently that the expectations are to maintain the statistics reported in 2008.

Guatemala's most stable

For decades, Guatemala has been more stable plantings of all banana exporting countries in Latin America. The area planted during the last four decades has remained almost constant at 20 000 hectares and the land productivity has increased marginally. From the sixties to early nineties, production rose at a moderate rate of one per

cent per annum, but increased rapidly during the nineties at a rate of 5 percent annually. They include a more recent shift in plantings for the production of bananas on the West Coast land formerly under cultivation of sugar, to have and easy access to markets in the U.S.

Panama used to be one of the leading banana exporters in the world, but production declined rapidly in the last decade. The increased costs of production, black Sigatoka and industrial disputes have affected the production, and Chiquita, the largest exporter in the country, has recently sold his large plantation on the Pacific coast to a group of workers.

Brazil seeks to enter Major League Baseball

Brazil is the sleeping giant beginning to awaken from the hand of the usual.

This time it was Del Monte, who has made some investments in this country, it is rapidly becoming a major exporter.

West Coast Bananas in Guatemala is the third largest source of income from agricultural export after coffee and sugar. Banana exports have increased steadily at a rate of 5.4 percent per year since the sixties, but most of the increase occurred in the nineties. The prospects of future expansion of production and exports of bananas are confusing.

The most important obstacles to increasing production and exports are transport and communications infrastructure, which is not expected to improve in this decade due to poor performance of the economy. Panama Banana Left Behind 15

For 2002 exceeded the 220 tonnes compared to 105 thousand tons in 2001 and largely exceeded the 72 000 tonnes in 2000. This suggests their export capacity, especially for the Mercosur market, but the aspirations of its producers is exported to the U.S. and Europe, using its natural outlet on the Atlantic, which would give clear advantages over its immediate competitors.

We must also mention the efforts of Peru, to be located in a prominent place in the organic banana exports sustained development over the past five years, which have earned him several international awards and major currencies have meaning for the neighboring country .

Syllit 400 SC, a new tool to control Sigatoka

Espora de M. fijiensis afectada por Dodine

Dodine afectando desarrollo de M. fijiensis

Espora de M. fijiensis germinando normalmente

I

n the world, black and yellow Sigatoka affects all of hectares of banana and plantain and its control in Latin America reaches a value close to $ 350 million and Colombia about $ 30 million annually.

the molecules available; There have been changes in the sensitivity of fungal populations to several families of important chemicals such as DMI, amines, Qol and benzimidazoles.

Bananas and plantains represent two important crops in the world because they are part of the diet of millions of people and is one of the most important export items in the tropics.

Therefore, when speaking of chemical control, there are fewer tools to control this disease that attacks indiscriminately reducing the quality and production.

The producers of these crops must use different tools to control the primary disease of these crops, Sigatoka, but these options are being reduced by the loss of susceptibility of Sigatoka fungus causing some of 16

Aware of the problem and the urgency to manage the disease, Cheminova Agro of Colombia and Agriphar Syllit present, with active ingredient Dodin, a new tool to widen the range of products available and effective against Sigatoka

Syllit 400 SC Foliar Fungicide is a preventive and curative activity and translaminar action. Has some systemic activity. It works by dissolving the lipid layer of the membrane with the consequent dehydration of the cell. Its healing action shown by reaction with anions from the surface layer so that damage to

cell walls.

The main action is the cytoplasmic membrane dodine. When the fungi are in contact with the dodine, the compound is rapidly taken up and accumulated in the cells where it binds strongly to cell membranes. Lipophilic alkyl group is embedded in the hydrocarbon chain, and part of

This fungicide belonging to the chemical group of Guanidines, FRAC recently accepted as a new control group and which has no cross resistance with currently used products. Due to its mechanism of action, is ideal to be included in a fungicide rotation program within the concept of Good Agricultural Practice.

the charged guanidine binds to the anionic groups of molecules fosfolipidales hydrofilicos membranes. Soon, the dodine cause severe damage in the membrane as prominent expansion of the outer membrane, dissolution of the cytoplasmic membrane, blistering and myelin-like structures

supposed to be fixed to the cell membrane and induces a mechanism of autolysis of the cell, ultimately leading to the death of the fungus.

This new fungicide will, without doubt, a firsthand instrument for producers because it has an excellent preventive effect, a characteristic that has been proven over several years of research and development in major banana growing regions of the world like Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines, Cameroon, etc.

The mode of action of foliar protectant Dodin is with some curative action, not systemic. It is a translaminar fungicide that affects cell membrane and protoplasm.

Dodin molecule is amphipathic type and consists of a "tail" and a hydrophobic "head" hydrophilic, this is similar to that of the phospholipids that constitute the cell walls of fungi and bacteria, therefore, Dodin is

Also has additional safeguards: Syllit has EPA registration for use on banana and was accepted by the group FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) in rotation options.

17

More firms enter the career of biological In the previous Acorbat Dymsa 2008 the Spanish firm, unveiled two new biological products for disease control in banana: Nematon controller nematodes and Soleo, a fungicide, bactericide that acts in the control of black Sigatoka. The developer of Dymsa, Engineer Domingo Hernandez was interviewed on one of the Banana Export forums for a more detailed explanation of products

"Tell us what Sunday engineer the benefits of these products and how are the possibilities of insertion into the banana market?

The advantage I see in these products is that they are natural plant extracts, which have stock plant, so they are products that have no chemical residue in the culture, we can use at any time, without waiting any term safety for consumption. Then from the standpoint of disease control that control, as are products that are quite good. We have seen that even as natural products that have behavior in the face of disease, as their effectiveness is quite close to that of a chemically derived product.

"At the moment these products are certified, have their own records in the country?

Yes. These products already have record MAGAP, in fact we have stop here at home and also others of the advantages of these products, but to be of natural origin have also Ecocert certification for use in organic agriculture, not only under European legislation but also under American law.

You guys are pointing to two control but also a commercial niche markets both organic and control product treated with a conventional? chemical source reference to show the goodness of the product Exactly with this product could with respect to the chemical. point to the two niches both organic and conventional. Also Occasionally the banana industry an important issue that we are is stunned by the appearance of a developing for the company product bearing the mark of new Dymsa and we noticed that and cures everything. This is the consumers are demanding prod- case of many products that claim ucts with less waste and also to be called organic or biological. demanding a reduction of the Course, must be very careful active plant that are registered about accepting because of the for use in agriculture, therefore intrinsic risks that the remedy is the development of alternatives worse than the disease. We need a traditional plant protection prod- thorough analysis by producers ucts is one thing we see is going to competent witnesses in trials for be increasingly looking boom acceptance. here, so we are encouraging the development of this product line. Banana Export makes no recommendation of any type of convenThe efficiency of these products tional or organic products. Only compared to conventional how present the different alternatives we might describe it, what were are presented in the growing the results of research carried out global forums and in some cases for you? prove to be excellent tools to control diseases or pests.

Us in developing such a product we're doing with the utmost The clarification we do because of scientific rigor, so that develop- the many comments that have ment is the closest thing yet to come to our emails, asking us in plant health. In fact when the some cases and other products field trials being carried out not more on the news appeared in only always use an absolute our midst.

18

Semana No.: 6

Semana No.: 7

Semana No.: 9

Semana No.: 8

Semana No.: 10

Semana No.: 5 Semana No.: 4

Semana No.: 11

Semana No.: 3

Semana No.: 12

Cosecha

Semana No.: 2

Protegiendo su inversión ...

.. .

Beneficios Incremente su productividad hasta un 25%

.

Rentabilidad sobre su inversión Ha./año hasta un 200% Durabilidad hasta 4 cíclos (1 año)

. . . . . . . . .

Ventajas y Características Nuestro producto es una tela no reticulada de espuma de polietileno 100% virgen, formada por miles de microceldas herméticamante cerradas, impermeable, termoaislante y con la gran ventaja de contener un aditivo para controlar su vida útil, haciendolo un material biodegradable.

Evita la incidencia de microorganismos patógenos en relación a la daipa, esponja, cartón, periódico, etc. que se generan por la acumulación de humedad dañando la fruta.

Toldea la funda , proporcionando mejor aireación al racimo e la quemazón, escaldaduras por el efecto lupa (rayos solares) y químicamente inerte.

Amortigua los impactos de la cosecha y transporte.

Resistente a químicos y solventes.

No abrasivo.

Liviano y flexíble.

No contiene sustancias tóxicas.

Durable, suave y aséptico.

Fácil de colocar (60 segundos por racimo).

Mantenimiento

Presentes en: Colombia - Ecuador - Perú República Dominicana y Camerún

N° 00000

N°.: 227723

Ecuador

Colombia

Almacene su protector en lugar fresco y seco, protegido del sol.

Tome el protector del centro del mismo, tanto para colocarlo, como para retirarlo.

Al cosechar se recomienda retirar el protector a medida que se va desmanando.

No le haga perforaciones, no lo comprima al lavarlo, no utilice cloro.

Para lavarlos sumérjalos en una solución de ácido cítrico al 10%, durante 15 minutos, límpielos con un removedor de látex y una esponja suave y sequelos a la sombra.

SERVICIO AL CLIENTE ECUADOR: 1800-POLYLON - COLOMBIA: 018000 111 040 P.B.X.: (593-4) 2236505, Fax: (593-4) 2272832 - Celular: 098344309 Guayaquil P.B.X.: (57-2) 4854848, Fax: (57-1) 8215686 - Celular: (57) 3155426812 Colombia

Green Banana American Continent rom the North in the U.S., to the south in Argentina, there is banana, or at least it appears in official statistics of the FAO. And in the case of the U.S., this country is a net importer as well as Canada and Mexico itself, has the representation of the two largest importers and distributors of fruit in the markets: Chiquita Brands and Dole.

F

This situation has earned him even getting into the fight banana tariffs with the EU. Which is a major force when settling the conflict. However, the countries that are net producers are a little down: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, to name the most important, because at the time had joined some others in the region as is the case Brazil itself, which is second largest producer of bananas in the world, but its exports are still marginal in Europe or America.

Ecuador's largest exporter Ecuador is by far the largest exporter of bananas in the world. In 2010, expects to export 280 million boxes. The exports of this country have had a quantum leap from 1985 when exports grew from one million tonnes to 3.6 million tonnes in 2000. You are currently lie at 4.5 million tonnes. Growth has been exponential at a rate higher than 11% in the last decade.

The importance of the banana crop for the South American country is such that the activity depends on about 400 thousand workers. In 2009, the amount of foreign exchange by bananas rounding the figure of 1800 million dollars. It is the first agricultural export item and participation in agricultural production is 29%. The planting area is estimated at 220 thousand hectares with a universe of 7,000 farmers from small, medium and large.

Production is concentrated in the coastal provinces of El Oro, Guayas and Los RĂ­os. These three provinces account for more than 90 percent of the area

planted to bananas and concentrate 63 percent of the banana growers.

Productivity is estimated at 1300 boxes per hectare, but this average corresponds to the banana not technologically advanced, they are mostly from small producers.

The average yield of semi and technically reached the 2600 boxes per hectare.

Only 25% of the banana is mechanization and of this percentage only 40% have "technical tip: drip irrigation, micro fertilization, renovation etc meristematic suckers.

Market Outlook Ecuador market has enjoyed very solid thanks to the response of producers in times of supply crisis. Its main importers until the decade of 2000 were the USA, Canada, the EU., Eastern Europe, countries of the former USSR, countries of South America, Middle East, Japan and China some time, although the latter market is sluggish.

In absolute terms, the picture seems to have changed except by increased imports of some of these countries or blocs, which have cemented their share in exports such as the EU itself and the countries of the Mediterranean, where Ecuador enjoys 20

when export strengths.

Despite the good run has taken exportable Ecuador, this may change in the future because the current government's negotiating policy, which was preferred to target other markets such as Iran, Libya, China away from his privileged position in their traditional markets.

Organic Banana, the challenge of an entire family Group a family member bought the W hether idea o f e co l o g i c a l l y sustainab l e production in a market is on intens i v e production such a s banana, which is the case of Ecuador.

But an entire family group composed of 12 children are motivated to develop a comprehensive organic project in all its properties, it is really surprising. And more surprising still when crops are: bananas, cocoa, shrimp, jewelry production in the country, the national pride of the Ecuadorians.

This is the case Marplantis Group, which for over a decade has bet heavily on organic production of these items. The sociologist Mercedes Molina, who by design of the patriarch of the family, his father, was long ago designated group manager, said that his father planted the seed of it organic, when it said it would be interesting to develop a banana with those characteristics.

Initially the idea was just an idea rondo him very strongly, but then researched and saw that there were significant benefits in the project and went to trial planting in a small area. The results were great and decided to complete conversion of organic banana area.

This process reveals the sociologist Molina, took a five-year period and continue to do so is a perman e n t change, not only in t h e structural part of the culture but in the minds of all staff, said the M a n a g e r.

T h e banana plantations are located in the province of Guayas, Balao and Naranjal cantons.

However, the fact that there was no information about organic farming and more experience in the provision was no future for a project of this nature. Despite the bad omens that settled in the project, and initial fears of the family, he says, decided to continue until reaching success. When Marplantis Group, produces organic bananas for Dole and other major trading groups, meeting the demanding markets of USA and Europe. The Group owns 454 hectares of bananas, organic certification and the Global Gap. The varieties grown in different farms are Cavendish and Williams.

Organic Bases of a project

El 100% es banano con certificación orgánica

Al igual que la muestra la salud de la planta es evidente en la formación de raíces fuertes

Las operarias de la empacadora etiquetan los bananos orgánicos

Without being an expert, the sociologist Molina said that the basis of their organic project lies in the work of microorganisms. She let them be the restorers of soil nutrients and organic material incorporated. Has been much emphasis on field work by these microorganisms, which are continually returning to productive soil suitability.

Una panóramica de las tinas de lavado del banano orgánico

21

"Mechita", as almost all its workers call it, reveals that the draft comprehensive organic bananas, cocoa and shrimp has given great satisfaction not only financial, because all it is a family business must answer to shareholders, but who have gone beyond the monetary item. You said you have to do with the satisfaction of the people. "Believe it or not the greatest satisfaction is getting the response from the people who work with us." They mostly feel good about working as Pluas Yenny, who works for the group for five years and feel very identified with the process of organizational excellence Marplantis handling. This young worker, said that a good atmosphere of work where the camaraderie healthy premium and the interest of all workers to join efforts for organic banana project.

Technology Research and Development

Yenny Pluas, working with five years of value added services

One of the cornerstones of the Group's development has been the use of technology in the software solutions that have been the Trojan horse, to minimize the management of an area as large as they have. They have also been very supportive of the private business research, allowing the validation of technologies. Internships to junior researchers and developers who want to gain ground in the organic has been one of the strengths of the Group.

Disclaimer Business and Labor One of the requirements Marplantis Group is to harmonize all its activities under the legal requirements of both state and international consumers.

Therefore all employees are insured and working conditions has a protocol that security, order and cleanliness is part of the philosophy of work. They have a staff of more than 270 employees between managers and laborers. In the packing gender equity is one of the accomplishments to excel in work relationships, approximately 47% of the workforce are women, many of them are holding their homes and are the heroines in their families.

Columbus packing plant in full fatigues of post harvest

22

Pueraria phaseoloides Kudzu Family: Legume.

Agronomic characteristics: perennial legume cycle. Moderate drought tolerance presents no very long and mild frost. Supports shading and flooding.

Its initial development is slow, reaching well established after a period of 40 days. When you have good conditions for their development may reach 100% coverage at 140 - 150 days.

Kudzu Pueraria and Training For the engineer Victor Angulo, Administrator of the organic banana Marplantis Group, success in project management of organic bananas are two important variables. The first is the identification of a leguminous plant called Pueraria Kudzu and the other for continuing training given at all levels.

Engineer A angle reveals that the legume Kudzu, revolutionized the management of the plantation.

Prior testing had been several other legumes to control weeds, one of the most endemic scourges in organic plantations. Unfortunately the issue of weed was becoming more worrisome. The costs became almost unmanageable around U.S. $ 360.00 per hectare year in 2004, until they encountered researching this legume that initially imported but already existed in our midst in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, specifically in plantations palm.

The Kudzu, I tried like almost any technology that is deployed in the organic banana in an experimental farm owned by the Group. The results surprised because the effectiveness of weed control and there was implemented on all farms. Total coverage is currently in the banana plantations of the Group and the costs that are managed for weed control are totally conservative, only U.S. $ 172.00 per hectare per year.

This assures Mr. Angulo, without the Kudzu bordeaĂ­ran U.S. $ 810.00.

On the training that he does to all levels, with cross-learning, which means learning all of one and one for all. "For us, the transfer of knowl-

edge is very important, not detract from the empirical knowledge supported by the traditional knowledge of our foremen or farm workers, who have a marriage relationship with soil and plant," said the Administrator.

Enriching experience Victor Angulo Engineer ensures that the work in an organic banana is a challenge but also a great satisfaction and a rewarding experience.

One of the most important points is to have learned to manage ground cover legume with Kudzu, obtaining a double benefit: weed control and nitrogen fixation in the soil. These benefits are what motivated the legume Angulo Engineer, to perform their thesis Masters in production of bananas and cacao based on this technique cov.

Considers that the Kudzu is a true natural organic matter produced, hence the coverage of the farms is 100% in all areas. "By having a coverage of 100% and permanent crops makes me I have my natural within the crop and providing me this day.

The moment I make the light clearing the land I am contributing organic matter and the great advantage of this system is that it provides a uniform way to the ground. I do only the crown of the plant but to the full extent of the crop. This helps to improve soil structure and the correction of what we call in the bad parts slang banana or low. " It highlights the Engineer angle.

Other advantages of handling 100% coverage with this legume, is in the process of photosynthesis. By maintaining a full cover that maintains a 23

constant temperature for the plant to do the work of photosynthesis for longer, this time of extra time which may be one or two hours you work over a plant in a soil cover, makes development is faster.

At the time the plant photosynthetic process takes longer helps the formation of carbohydrates and proteins, which eventually becomes a cluster obviously better quality.

In a conventional planting calving between 14 and 15 pages versus the 10 or 11 sheets or less in our banana, but this apparent disadvantage is compensated for the overtime of photosynthesis that occurs as a result of coverage with the Kudzu, which gives vigorous plant and bunches of bananas with highly trained fingers, which ultimately make the difference in quality.

Technology as Development tool Engineer Victor Angulo, explains that he has 10 years in the organic banana project Marplantis Group. "I came here ten years ago and started the project with a small plantation organic. Then they have been adding other areas to reach what we are now 454 acres.

The handling of this entire area has posed the challenge of using technology management software for both accounting and operational management of the eight properties that comprise the organic banana project. When last we are to implement a software technology for the traceability of the crop, which will result in greater benefits for consumers. "

Black Sigatoka gives no respite to banana producers Comparative Number of cycles to control Sigatoka (2005)

ZONA

(2010)*

No. Ciclos No. Ciclos

Quevedo

15 - 17

28 - 30

San Juan

10 - 12

24 - 25

Guayas

8 - 10

18 - 20

El Oro

8- 9

16 - 20

* Percentage increase approximately 100%

Ing. Hugo Avila, Consultor bananero

A

lmost a quarter century of black Sigatoka in Ecuador, no truce to banana producers in this country and the perception of the technicians is that the disease has progressed to the greater virulence of the fungus and the loss of efficiency in the field fungicides, this is evidence of increased spraying cycles performed that year after year for its control.

the country by 100%, which shows that unfortunately control this disease are going out to the producers.

The fungus (Mycosfphaerella fijensis) Morelet, appeared in Ecuador in 1987, the hacienda "The Ring" in the province of Esmeraldas. For the year 1990 the disease was spread throughout the Ecuadorian territory. Official and private efforts to achieve its control have been enormous, making it the greatest scourge of domestic agriculture due to high costs for its control.

Avila Engineer emphasizes that some of the molecules considered key to control Sigatoka as is the case of benzimidazoles and others lost their effectiveness as the triazoles and strobilurin, are being presented resistance risk in their use.

Argues that the responsibility and the fate of the banana falls to the producer, who should be allowed to advise on the rotation and proper use of existing products in the middle.

Other molecules such as mancozeb, whose effectiveness as a protectant is widely known in our domestic problems accuses prevent its use, so that the conventional tools that had the banana growers are becoming less.

But this Ecuador's banana industry has continued its growth, reaching new levels of export what is apparently a contradiction if we consider that the Sigatoka disease has not been arrested and on the contrary threatens to cause more damage.

This ensures the Engineer Hugo Avila, is of great concern at the national banana industry should move to seek new tools to control the fungus (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) Morelet, due to the socioeconomic importance of the crop.

In a brief analysis by the technical consultant and engineer Hugo Avila banana, shows that the disease has increased its pressure in the last five years in all areas of 24

Figura # 1: Hoja de banano con estadio 4 de la enfermedad.

Figura # 2: Planta de banano con hoja totalmente necrosada.

other alternatives, which are products of research and the use of new technologies are considered tools to take them into account in a comprehensive control of black Sigatoka disease.

The specific case of Timorex GOLD, is a product that is distilled from the foliage and terminal branches of the tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), grown in Australia. The extract of this tree is classified as a substance of low risk by the new regulation, dated 1.9.2008, on pesticide residues, reg.

(EC) # 396/2005 and is defined as "no MRL is required."

Figura # 1

Producers should be more proactive

Avila Engineer considers that the farmer is the architect of victory or defeat of the disease, so let calls for advice. "There is a group of highly skilled technicians in the country. Have formed their own experience and training abroad, but the banana producer is subject to swings in the prices of export fruit. It has not been able to respond positively.

The Gold Timorex active substance is approved by the European Union that included in EU positive list of Annex 1 of Directive 91/414 EEC for the registration of pesticides.

Gold Timorex already registered in most banana producing countries.

You mean that a patient where a doctor used to heal, but needs to fulfill to the letter the instructions, if not so sick will continue. The same happens with Sigatoka, the technician gives the recommendation and the farmer must apply the instructions. " This ensures, in many cases does not happen, because the farmer because of lack of money or neglects to consider the recommendations inofficious control risking their investment.

Organic products a valid alternative

Figura # 2

In this context the Engineer Hugo Avila, considers that the organic options are valid tools to which the farmer must go. Timorex Gold, like

25

Brief History of a product controversial: DBCP (Nemagon and Fumazone) Agriculture is full of high-risk products toxic, highly lethal to humans and the environment. Without them at some point in history would have been difficult, as no known alternatives to substitute them. Some of these products are now considered harrowing there is even a dozen of these which are totally banned in agriculture.

However, some controversy is based on the recommendation of the trading companies, after learning their lethality to humans and the environment. One such product is DBCP, which has a long string of mistakes by the manufacturer and distributors of it, as well as some corporate users of the product which in the case of bananas constituted jointly liable for the negative effects that involved unnecessary deaths and seriously affected the health of the plantation workers in general.

Because this is fighting a hard and unequal struggle between manufacturers, distributors and affected, where there has been omitted to avoid mob attitude outcomes, requiring makers to pay huge sums for compensation negligence.

and Shell for the sale of DBCP and sign a new contract with Dow. The U.S. government send more information for large users of DBCP. Meanwhile, in Costa Rica doctors see more cases of infertility, research the problem thoroughly but do not know of 1972-1977 The Costa Rican government to cases of infertility among workers at manupurchase Del Monte DBCP (Bandeco) and facturing plants in the United States. applies it in its banana plantations Experimental Station Diamonds, Guรกpiles, under January 1978 Dow and Shell have signed a the administration of Banana Commercial new two-year contract with Standard for Project of the Ministry of Agriculture and the supply of DBCP, which keeps the continued use of the product. Other transnational Livestock. banana stop the use of DBCP, and begin to July 1977 The U.S. government receives use other more expensive nematicides. information from U.S. doctors about the problem of DBCP. Publication of the notice February 1978 becomes more DBCP of sterile workers in a factory in the Dow in Standard other commercial interests. The EPA sent a telex to Costa Rica notice about California.

The Standard is informed by the Dow on the dangers of DBCP, but the Bureau of the cases of sterility in the United States. Quarantine and the Registry (OCR) of the The U.S. government announces the Ministry of Agriculture claims not to have dangers of DBCP and initiates studies. A few received. However, in this office become banana workers in Costa Rica to realize aware of the hazards of DBCP through their fertility problems, but do not know the scientific publications. Meanwhile, Costa Rican doctors that deal with infertility in the source of your problem. banana workers conclude on the basis of its August 1977 studies and risk the danger of own investigations, that this is caused by DBCP temporarily halted supplies to the exposure to DBCP. Standard by the Dow. This is regretted by the suspension of the sale and pushes Dow, July 1978 Dow and Shell met with the DBCP buying other firms in Mexico and directors of Standard to talk about the Israel. The United States government danger of DBCP. Despite this, it continues to imposes restrictions on the use of DBCP in apply the product in bulk in the Costa Rican the country. In Costa Rica are the first banana plantations. patients in clinics in Rio Frio in the Social Security Fund (CCSS), which were November 1978 Standard of Costa Rica diagnosed as "unexplained infertility." receives information from the Costa Rican American Management Occupational doctors on sterile workers and talk to these Safety and Health (OSHA) and EPA do doctors. The latter had been in contact with the EPA and received additional informastudies on the risks of using DBCP. tion about the dangers of DBCP. The OCR Standard MAG suggests to stop the use of Octubre1977 teams are sent to apply DBCP to Honduras by Dow and Shell, which DBCP, to no avail. The doctors will write a agree with Standard to continue to provide letter to Health Minister Dr. Carmelo the product, but with a clause that freed Calvosa and Vice President Mr. Fernando them from future compensation. Standard Ortiz Altmann, to compel Standard to stop in Costa Rica puts more pressure on Dow the use of DBCP.

1970-77 Continue using DBCP for control of nematodes and imported large quanti1953-55 begins on the first toxicological ties of toxic to Costa Rica and other studies of DBCP by researchers at the Dow countries where Standard, Chiquita and Del Monte have plantations. and Shell Chemical Company.

1833 Oppenheim view DBCP.

1956 Starts production of toxic, but not be sold.

1958 Dr. Charles Hine, an American scientist, working for Dow, in an internal report informs the toxic effects of DBCP. The EPA requires more studies to support registration of the chemical.

1960 Hine New studies confirm the effect gonadotoxic again.

1962 is published the first report of the EPA, which minimizes side effects of DBCP and is considered slightly toxic. The Dow and Shell put pressure on the EPA to approve the registration of the chemical.

1964 registration of the chemical as a nematicide is approved by the EPA, allowing commercial production by Dow and Shell in the United States. Sales are increasing rapidly and the product is registered in Costa Rica where the import begins by Standard Company.

1965 DBCP begins to be used by other transnational banana companies in Costa Rica.

1965-68 are beginning to make studies and other nematicides DBCP to assess the advantages of its use. Groups of workers who applied the DBCP did not use protection or received any warning about the potential dangers of exposure. How to use it at first was with the irrigation system. Was then applied with injection pumps.

1969-70 was first used DBCP broadly commercial scale. Sales are increasing rapidly.

26

1993 Standard began a series of court settlement payments directly to the affected workers, without mediation of the plaintiffs' lawyers. U.S. courts will continue to prevent such payments if employees are involved with lawsuits.

December 1978 The directors of Standard meet with Dr. Calvosa, Minister of Health and agreed to prevent information about DBCP is made public. There is an increase of infertile patients and further evidence of the problem appears, for example, the study of Ramirez and Ramirez (5) Male sterility caused by occupational exposure to the nematicide 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, "Med Act . Cost.

Vol. 23, No. 8, pags, 219-222. 1980.

Surge in January 1979 more information on infertile men in the United States, but accelerated the use of DBCP by Standard in Costa Rica.

The director of MAG OCR prohibits the importation of DBCP but fails to stop its use in banana plantations. Continue to be diagnosed more cases of infertility in Costa Rica and the doctors made an urgent appeal to stop the use of DBCP. February 1979 Stop the sale and use of DBCP in Costa Rica. Standard sends part of its stocks of DBCP from warehouses in Puerto Limon, to Honduras where it is used in plantations. The National Insurance Institute (INS) provides the first compensation to those affected by secondary infertility due to exposure to DBCP. March 1979 Standard continues to send DBCP from Costa Rica to Honduras, where he continues to apply. This shipment is estimated at

130,000 gallons of toxic.

June 1979 Spill Fumazone 13,000 liters of a warehouse in Limon. The damage produced by this spill workers who were nearby and public health have never been quantified.

July 1979 Some affected workers are not compensated by the INS and will order more tests, including testicular biopsies. This great concern to doctors and some lawyers, so it claims promote legal, initiated in Costa Rica and then moved to the U.S..

1982-1991 starts legal fight in U.S. courts with lawsuits against Dow, Shell and Occidental.

They are then fruit companies including Standard, Chiquita and Del Monte.

October 1992 You reach a settlement first, involving the corporate defendants and hundreds of banana workers in Costa Rica through its attorneys (Marlene Chavez) and American (Misko, Siegel). Sums were paid up to $ 22.500.oo.

This agreement was much publicized by the national and international press. The workers then ignore what they signed away because the text of the agreement was in English and are not explained its scope. Claims are pending and former employees about 6,500 workers exposed to DBCP.

27

March 1997 The agricultural union National Labor Council (CONATRAB) in Costa Rica report by the national press as it prepares a settlement detrimental to DBCP-affected workers who filed complaints to the U.S. courts and attorneys representing blame. He further complains that women and children affected are not being considered in any action. The organization estimates the number of affected people in Costa Rica at about 25,000.

June 1997 Alvaro Montero Vega and Susana Chavez Sell, among others, Costa Rican lawyer representing workers in claims before U.S. courts, with its U.S. partner Charles Siegel, national newspapers announcing a settlement offer made by Dow and summon the workers to meetings, where after they are told that thousands of them do not qualify for the payment arrangement and offered $ 100.oo (hundred dollars) in recognition of personal expenses. The managers of this arrangement are the U.S. attorneys from law Fred Misko, Charles Siegel. The Commission on Human Rights in Central America (CODEHUCA), the Costa Rican Human Rights Commission (CODEHU) and labor organizations representing workers affected by DBCP make public their dissatisfaction with the terms of the proposed court settlement. The qualify of mockery, deceit and fraud.

October 1997 CONATRAB formally asks the Office of the Ombudsman, in the person of its owner Ms. Sandra Piszk, intervention of this institution to investigate the case of DBCP in Costa Rica.

December 1997 The DBCP manufacturers in the Dow, Shell and Occidental provide severance pay for infertility through a settlement of several hundred workers.

Payments range from $ 358.oo (three hundred fifty-eight U.S. dollars) and $ 2.500.oo (2500 dollars).

There is much disagreement on the part of workers, alleging among other things that are not told the terms of the settlement and are literally forced to sign.

February 1998 The Office of the Bar Association of Costa Rica known CONATRAB complaint by Costa Rica against lawyers representing those affected by DBCP in which they are accused of malpractice and sponsorship affair.

October 1998 The Ombudsman has issued the final report (250-23-98 record) on the case of DBCP. The report states the responsibility of the manufacturers, the fruit and of the Costa Rican government on the issue of DBCP. The Executive Branch issued a presidential decree creating an interagency commission that will address aspects of the problem of DBCP. Standard offers a direct payment arrangement with some work-

ers (about 30 classified, according to the same standard).

January-February 1999 Chiquita and Del Monte court settlement offer to some employees with amounts ranging between $ 358 and $ 1,100. CONATRAB complaint with the Bar Association, the Ombudsman's Office and the Interinstitutional Commission that workers who accept the payments are not told the contents of the document signed, nor are given a copy.

March 1999 As part of the Interinstitutional Commission, the Standard and Del Monte companies come to a meeting to listen to the demands of CONATRAB. Standard emphatically denies that DBCP causes any problems in human health. Chiquita is convened for the first of April next.

1999 The City of Fresno, California and traded manufacturers of DBCP trial and forcing companies to pay $ 21 million in cash. The demand of the city was due to contamination of groundwater caused by DBCP. The agreed transaction total is $ 100 million to work on purification of water by the year 2035.

April 2009. California Judge Chaney, rejecting a lawsuit filed by 12 Nicaraguan workers against Dole, leaving defenseless the complainants on the grounds of conspiracy to defraud

Nemagon history and Fumazone, is the story of thousands of producers and consumers, who have been affected by unfair practices in the market that the worst of the workers have taken and the environment. The companies responsible for these violations to the human health and the environment, could not be judged at the tenor of the damage. The trial against Dole, Dow and Occidental, in the Bull case of the 12 Nicaraguan workers seems to dissolve in the bizarre plot, which is more like a mafia purge a search for redress to those affected.

In spite of the mistakes the producers maintain a marriage relationship with these companies, an indissoluble marriage that companies must comply with a dose of greater responsibility in facing the trials for these mistakes, which as has been demonstrated over and over again in the trial of these producers, manufacturers and those responsible for Dole, who forced spraying of banana plantations with these products were aware of their mortality and will never informed the workers and gave worse accessories such as gloves, boots, masks, etc. ., for your protection.

28

Technological advances and innovations in banana anana is one of the crop for their economic importance both for domestic consumption and export, and due to pests and diseases that have plagued the musacea, has attracted the attention of researchers and developers to achieve a beneficial industry and healthy to keep it on the market for years to come. Researchers have used the banana production as a clear example of how technical change occurs in discontinuous steps with intervals of little or no change between them (Evenson, Houck and Ruttan 1964).

B

Innovations during the seventies, such as the replacement of Gros Michel and Cavendish, the boxing of bananas and aerial cableways to transport fruit, resulted in reduced production costs, the output growth and lower world prices. Apparently during the eighties were not identified innovations (jumping), leading researchers to believe that there was little hope of increasing productivity and reducing costs in the late eighties and early nineties (FAO 1996).

However, banana production and increased world import prices fell during this period at a rate of 2 to 3 percent, respectively. The price reduction means a decrease in production costs, which can be achieved not only through technical change, but also through technical efficiency, scale-up or the reallocation of productive resources upon changes in relative prices inputs.

In these substantial changes the advent of the Internet also played a decisive role and that facilitated the development of contracts, and streamlined Internet access to market information. Now almost any production process is designed to bypass the Internet at all stages of banana produc-

tion. Banaxass software is a clear example. Effective transmission of information between customers and suppliers helped to manage complex markets and reduce losses. In addition, lower communication costs had an impact on transaction costs, improved price arbitrage, relaxed vertical integration that characterizes the industry, and allowed the creation of new commercial enterprises along the chain.

New Approaches: Crop Improvement

The search for varieties resistant to pests and diseases has been a major rush in the history of banana breeding programs. Due to the small number of local varieties and asexual reproduction, bananas have a narrow genetic pool which makes it vulnerable to pests and diseases. Already in the twenties, plant breeding programs in the Caribbean looking for varieties resistant to Panama disease in the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) and in Jamaica. In the mid seventies, launched new programs to improve around the world to fight black Sigatoka, including the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA) and more recently, in 1983, EMBRAPA-CNPMF in Brazil and CIRAD-Guadeloupe FLOHR and West Africa.

In 1985 he created the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) and research and information center designed to support research throughout the world. Has a documentation service specializing in bananas and contains the largest collection of Musa germplasm in the world. INIBAP worked closely during the late eighties and early nineties with regional breeding programs in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In Africa, the Centre africain 30

de recherches sur bananiers et plantains (CARBAP), former Regional Centre de Recherches sur Bananiers et Plantains (CRBP) in Cameroon, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria. Both institutes multiplied by INIBAP conventionally bred varieties, distributed them to regional programs and provided training. In Asia, the INIBAP worked with the Regional Network for Asia and the Pacific, INIBAP (ASPNET), established in 1991 and now known as the Banana Research Network for Asia and the Pacific (BAPNET).

It has participated in the assessment, conservation and Musa germplasm collection, coordination of regional collaboration and communication among researchers in Musa, and in assisting the intra-regional exchange of information. Despite the creation of all these research institutions, analysts believe that the number of Musa breeding programs is limited value in view of the world banana trade and its importance as a global staple.

In Latin America, where they concentrate most banana production area, research efforts have been deprived.

However CENIBANANO initiative in Colombia is commendable due to regional scientific contribution he has made.

Another body has been helpful PROMUSA (Global Programme for Musa Improvement) was established in 1997 to strengthen collaboration and exchange of information among researchers involved in Musa breeding.

It aims to develop a wide range of hybrids suitable for banana growers around the world, bringing together conventional breeding techniques based on hybridization, genetic engineering and biotechnology techniques.

Bananas with traceability new version of Banaxass T

he myth that traceability was a banana field elusive utopia finally seems to come to an end after the signing Agrosoft, developing software Banaxass llar.

Initially this software was to demystify the field work to record each step, to become the statistical tool of decision making, which eventually led to the integration of new technologies such as electronic bulletin board (balance), optical readers, switch communication, database and interface, all this resulting Banaxass Trace Version 2, allowing the incorporation efficiency of recording the bar code for reading digital and online certification.

This new version was recently launched in Ecuador, where this technology has been extensively tested by producers of organic

bananas as is the case of Mr. Manuel Valdi-viezo Jimenez, owner of Hacienda Organic Banana "Follies", located in the Parish Tenguel, province of Guayas.

This hacienda whose length is 115 acres, handles all the field work since pulled on until harvest, by Banaxass software. The owner spoke with Banana Export, regarding the benefits and challenges of the system.

Mr. Manuel Valdez, tell us in brief terms the benefits reaped by implementing software version Banaxass Trace particularly Version 2, which allows bar code reading?

Banaxass software allows me to keep track all your field work with their respective audits from the planting to the processing of the fruit.

The bar code located on each bunch of bananas is a technological breakthrough because it gives me the ease of obtaining an efficient control in the recovery and helps me identify my fruit in batches. Also allows me to obtain accurate data of all products manufactured and applied in this cluster.

Are these benefits, but in the operative management of Banaxass that have received training field workers to accept this technology?

By the company that owns the program

31

Balanza electr贸nica

(Banaxass), we trained a group of people including stewards so that they in turn are field auditors, and transmit the knowledge they have acquired the rest of the staff working in different areas . I believe that in this whole process the most complicated part is the acceptance and implementation, in full, of this new methodology by the workers.

Do you think that in the case of Organic Banana Follies Trace Banaxass implementation of Version 2, it adds value to your product?

Of course, if it adds value. Since I am implementing the latest technology with high standards of quality and traceability, which allows us to be more competitive and easier to obtain international certificates. Our goal is to reach a box of bananas process, which takes a code that allows the consumer to have complete information.

The Organic Banana Follies has the certificates: GLOBALG.AP , NOP (USDA Organic), CE Europe, JAS (Japanise Accreditation System), Ministry of agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries, AGROCALIDAD (Ecuador).

Movie "Bananas" was presented in Nicaragua trial has brought much controversy and in 2009 the downturn, the Judge, American known only as Chaney, left defenseless to the complainants, against the testimony of 27 former employees of Dole, who testified in favor of the company. However, these testimonies have been challenged by those who testified in favor of Dole, claiming they made him promises like giving them visas, payments and goods in exchange for their adherence to Dole, who fialmente were defaulting.

Fumazone Nemagon and was a known nematicide called DBCP, Fredrik Gertten. Director of film "Bananas" which was compulsory in the he movie "Bananas", the Swedish 70's in the banana plantations, the same journalist and documentary as was applied by agricultural workers Fredrik Gertten, filmed in 2009 without gloves, helmets and boots for and deals with the situation of the protection. You were never insured banana growers affected by Nemagon workers to social security. and Fumazoe and history of a lawsuit against Dole Food Company, was finally Recipients of DCBP, had a skull as a clear unveiled last October 7 in Managua by warning of the danger of death and environmental damage, despite this the Alliance Franรงaise.

DOLE, say the plaintiffs never gave a sign The film is a visual chronicle of the of danger, nor was there a protocol for lawsuit filed by twelve Nicaraguan handling. banana workers against multinational Dole, for damage caused to the health of The indiscriminate use of these products thousands of banana workers in that was soon the harvest of diseases among country, as a result of intensive use of workers. There is no accurate records of pesticides banned in the seventies, but those affected. Are estimated to have no But the multinational continue killed over three thousand workers for prescribing it for their plantations. This this cause. And other thousands have

T

32

been left with serious effects on your health at the hearing, kidney and infertility.

Court sits In the first instance the trial of Nicaraguan workers against Dole had a favorable ruling on them, being comminated the company to compensate 12 workers to pay $ 1 million each. This ruling was appealed and subsequently Chaney judge, dismissed the lawsuit claiming fraud by the complainants.

But witnesses have been the same fraudulent recruited by Dole, who have retracted their statements in favor of this and are urging that the case was reopened. What is at stake is more than $ 12 million that it would behoove pay Dole, but the case law that would seat the dispute and the flood of lawsuits that will ensue because of their dismal record companies, including use of hazardous products.

The history of Nicaragua, not only is the story of this small Central American country is the sad story of Latin American countries, who have been fleeced by these transnational corporations without collateral requirements for compensation to damage human health and environment in farms. This is not the classic story of David and Goliath. The multinational Goliath, it seems that with the help of the judge, California Chanay, little David having defeated Nicaragua, the stone dealt treacherously cunning.

Banana and Nutrition The range of fruit products in very large because in most cases each fruit produces a different product the latter depending on the characteristics of the fruit, it is necessary to make a detailed analysis of the main generators of these products and use in industry.

Agro-products are produced during harvest and / or processing of food and fiber necessary to fill basic human needs, but their nutritional characteristics and availability at low cost, in most cases, constitute an important resource as food source for animals. Banana is used throughout the plant from the stem, leaves and fruit, it is traditional food in the feeding of pigs giving it raw or cooked. Supplied 4 to 8 kg with an additional 30 to 40% protein. In this particular case the engineer analyze Basin Agricultural Rosario Romero, the different products of bananas that can be used in the diet of children and adults.

Between the different preparations which are noted for their nutritional value and differentiation?

There are several recipes that we prepare. The one you like the housewives are the delicacies like banana pancakes, fresh banana, banana mousse, candy and a host of dishes, both sweet and salt. Here we have taught to prepare a typical dish that is traditionally prepared with green bananas, today we're doing with the banana and is really delicious.

What level of knowledge of these achievements have made nutrition?

Yes we have been invited to various national and international forums. The Banana Exporters Association of Ecua-

dor (AEBE), has invited several times, allowing us to present our products with a magnificent acceptance. All have been surprised to see the wonders that can be prepared with bananas, and since we are a banana republic has not been given the attention it deserves. As you can see there are varieties of dishes and treats that we make with our fruit.

"With regard to how they are doing marketing. Are leading supermarkets, shops. What they are doing the marketing for these products?

When we sell the product. More than our target market them and the agencies that support us, is that mothers are trained and they can form their microenterprises. We seek alternatives 33

to the daily diet in rural and urban households, especially the most needy.

The other major goal is to open as managers of development without abandoning their role as mothers and housewives.

"The recipes are homemade and have implement this program with women you patented? beyond the region.

Do you have also edited a book they Yes, they are homemade recipes come have called "Bananito Friend", tell us from the mouths of grandmothers or about this initiative?. women with more years. Some have patented, but also those we are offering We have this recipe about 50 recipes for everyone to prepare also using bananas, both salt and sweet, but does not mean that we can only What you have seen the need to prepare these 50 dishes, but a thousand extend this information to other moth- other dishes, it just depends on the ers in the country or other people willingness of each of us to do. You interested in wanting to do the job know we are all very smart people more industrial? creative.

Yes, we're doing, we had the opportunity to be in other provinces of my country and they have accepted with pleasure this program. We had the opportunity to go to neighboring South Peru because they also want to

But unfortunately sometimes housewives think twice about taking a meal consisting of green bananas latex. This white, viscous liquid makes you think that will not go a good meal, but this is a misperception. You know all good

things have anything wrong. Our green bananas in its watery latex and fear of staining your hands do not want to cook.

What is the recommendation that you would do to the housewives on the use of "baby bananas friend?

I do suggest to the mothers who take this fruit that is blessed by God and that our country is very easy to get. Take advantage because as you know is a fruit rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins that our bodies need, especially children for their growth. We must seize the hand and if the purchase is a very affordable price, which is available to everyone. It remains only to put a little added value and prepare the dishes that the cookbook "Bananito friend brings.

Chocolate Bananas FlambĂŠ

Bananas with Cheese Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas

Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, broken into 3 along 2 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp grated ginger 1 tbsp butter 1 tsp jamaica ground 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 ounce rum

6 slices mozzarella cheese 1 / 2 cup flour 1 egg sugar 1 tablespoon milk to taste Oil

Preparation: Fry the plantains in butter for 2 minutes on each side along with spices and sugar.

Preparation: Cut the bananas lengthwise and then each into four pieces. Fry in oil for both sides for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

Top each half slices of cheese and cover with the other half. Mix separate the egg sugar and milk. Dip the bananas into the mixture.

Fry again for 2 minutes on each side again.

Using rum flambĂŠ.

Serve with coconut ice cream and chocolate.

34

Ecuador confirms its export vein E

Ecuador in the first six months of 2010, exported 161 million boxes, generating foreign exchange for 1100 million dollars.

The average monthly exports in the last semester was approximately 27 million boxes, so to continue his streak could reach a record export unthought of more than 300 million boxes. This figure however is sincere in the subsequent weeks of the season, in which the average week does not exceed five million cases. But industry analysts put their expectations at 260 million boxes in 2010.

Companies that are in the top five are: Ubesa (Dole), Banana Continental (Noboa), Brudicorpi (Chiquita Brands) Reybanpac and Fruit Bonanza. Together, these companies exported 69 million cartons, 49% of the total.

According to figures from the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE), exports of bananas and plantains, between January and June 2010 were higher than 2009.

Ecuador is the only Latin American banana producer, which has not signed an FTA with the EU. Foreign Ministry authorities prefer to reach a comprehensive development negotiating trade agreements only.

New markets do not The commitment of a group of banana farmers in the province of El Oro, who even created an export company for the placement of bananas to Iran and other Middle Eastern markets, in separate lawsuits over its promoters for non-payment of the fruit .

Market expectations of China, are

repressed because of the uncertainty of the mode of entry for Chinese entrepreneurs who want to be left the fruit. Ecuadorian producers require the negotiation is made from state to state to guarantee payment for shipments.

Stable market At 41 weeks to prepare this analysis, exports of 196 million boxes lined.

The hunch was stable markets in Europe due to declining global supply.

Imports from Africa and the French West Indies, began its natural decline of age, although unusually this year have greater presence.

The dollar banana exports to Europe, returned to their history. Sent from Costa Rica and Ecuador have remained stable and moderate, while Colombian exports have continued to fall.

Fuente: Aebe

On the other hand the markets of France, Germany, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and even Spain, showed a healthy improvement, it also due to the reduced supply of its former colonies and re exports to countries in Eastern Europe, 35

although This is becoming very moderately nothing like the previous weeks.

Europe is expected to maintain this pace until around week 47. Climate predictions could improve the export expectations in Latin American countries.

Banana Imports and Prices major consumer eveloped countries account for 83 percent of world banana imports. The main markets are North America, the European Community, Japan and the countries of Eastern Europe and the former USSR.

D

North America and the EC are more than 60 percent of world imports, while Japan and the former USSR have almost 12 percent. It is expected that the United States and the EC continue to play a major role, despite the continued decline in its global market share in the period under review from 1998 to 2000.

Net imports of bananas rose steadily from nearly 7 million tonnes in 1985-88 to about 11.7 million tonnes in 1998-2000. This increase of 70 percent contrasts with the slow growth observed in the previous 15 years (1970-1984) in world imports rose a meager 17 percent.

The increase was due, among other things, the opening of markets in Eastern Europe and China, low banana prices in real terms and increased nearly 2 percent annual per capita incomes in the major importing countries banana during the nineties. According to recent data from the FAO, the volume of imports reach the 17.5 million

tonnes. The average annual growth rate is reported for the global volume of imports, is 3% (for exports reported a 3.8% growth).

In conducting the analysis by country shows that the main importer is the United States with a quarter of the world volume, together with this nation, other developed nations such as Germany, Japan, Belgium, the Russian Federation, United Kingdom and Italy are among the major importing countries participating with almost two thirds of total foreign purchases of bananas Import policies vary considerably among the major importing countries. During the period under study (1985-2000), U.S. maintained their policy of no tariffs or import quotas or phytosanitary restrictions on banana imports. In contrast, the EC changed its policy in this period.

Between 1985 and 1992, the European Community countries used various import regimes, which ranged from preferential access to

36

overseas territories and former colonies to access livery. However, after the creation of the Single European Market in 1993, the import regimes were aligned and under Regulation (EEC) 404/93 of the Council, the European Union created the Common Market Organisation for bananas.

These regimes have also been implemented on a temporary basis the demand for Latin American countries to free access of fruit to these markets. Currently governs the single tariff, which in 2010 was modified because the WTO has declared inconsistent with the market rules, forcing the EU., The reduction in tariffs.

Europe has lost 11 panels from 1993, which implemented a controlled imports of bananas under favor their former colonies, they have not been able to achieve the American compettividad and increasingly means more burden on the taxpayer.

Importance of transport logistics in Bananas M

ost countries spend a significant portion of their budgets to investments related to transportation and logistics to become more competitive and be ahead of neighboring countries. Intermodality, communication technologies and service quality are the main challenges for freight operators to successfully integrate and access the Twenty-first Century. Logistics is the main tool of this sector for a place in the competitive world of exports. Shipping, aviation and railways in some countries are facing the challenge of growing, improving quality and delivery times to customers.

tion, along with the increased demand for quality and breadth of services have resulted in the enhancement of the ports in the chain logistics. The importance of maritime transport is evidenced by the fact that over 90% of trade with other countries takes place through shipping.

Banana is a product that benefits from the implementation of an orderly chain. Banana Export interviewed the Costa Rican engi-

Transpor tation centers and freight stations at ports and airports become logistic platforms which allow the perfect combination of modes of transport. In the country something is being done and there are important investments, mainly in the banana port transfers and road neer Rodolfo Navarro, an expert network. logistics chain this product on the competitive advantages are Factors such as globalization of achieved by developing the the economy have altered the chain. flow of goods in relation to their geographical origin and destina- Engineer ", what is your percep37

tion of the question of logistics in the field work is done in our midst, and what are some of the observations that have to standardize the process of gathering or transportation of banana work?

Properly what I have seen compared to other places, is that, for example that there are aspects of transport because it features the size of farms make a vehicle transport are small and not suitable for transporting fruit. I've noticed that sometimes such transportation must be done in few hours more light to prevent abuse and avoid problems in the temperature as transport trucks are normal, and sometimes are just tarps, others just plain closed trucks.

This apparently has always been even though there has been a demand for this type of load due to its constant production warrants Ecuador.Esto think there are some improvements that can be implemented, for example the introduction of small refrigerated trucks maintain and care for green living product.

Another aspect would be the receipt of the fruit close the gap through the implementation of collection centers that have adequate infrastructure to ensure product quality.

can improve the rudimentary form that has been characteristic of some producers of all, to improve that part and sell it as an added value that is being given to the banana market.

"In the case of the Professional Associations company computer, which tools offer or what the package that you recommend the producer or farm owners in particular to be much more efficient in this aspect of marketing the product?

Actually we do not have a product as How would the final cost in the imple- such, we give is the advisory services in mentation of a transportation chain the field and can indicate how to improve suitable for bananas? some things. Po such as making certain types of work particularly in the transport There are no specific statistics to say what and life is green bananas. the costs are approximate. However there are some values that indicate that the But it goes beyond a simple tool, the main overall costs of logistics walk about 10 or instrument is the study and analysis of 15%. The point is that green living and any real situation, both firms and good post harvest handling is an added countries to agree to accommodate their value that the country itself or producers needs and their markets according to in Ecuador, providing the end customer. each of the requirements logistics that For example is not the same, that when will have. you do a trace and is observed as it occurs, as the fruit is transported in "In the case of Costa Rica is the country comparison with other modes of of origin, how this issue is faced and at transport better and with other collec- what level of professionalism are to tion also features more defined. well you meet this need time situational logistics 38

and transportation of the product?

For Costa Rica, in particular there is a difference and all that is the transportation is carried by specialized companies under contract. Usually this is provided by the exporting company or the contractor and the burden is on the refrigerated container.

There is already a method that companies have specified. For example, the container has to be at the right time on the farm. Not before or after, that the container turn on your cooling system at the time indicated, that the fruit between the container and remains on, used their curtains, their Suncho and then seal and arrival at the premises and collection, logically the cold chain.

This a pre-designed and properly by the multinationals who have worked with producers, and that is a normal process that takes, but nevertheless, there are some cases of efficiency and route times, times of entry ; the time of arrival at the farm times the farm output, and the actual record of temperatures, and the output of farm to farm to port or harbor, things like that there are still things a long way to improve this regard.

Pesticide Industry concentrated

bargaining power s the productivity of pesticides and seeds has increased, the concentration of these industries in the markets has also grown. In the decade from 1960 the previous century there were more than 70 manufacturers of pesticides in the U.S., but mergers and acquisitions in the subsequent decades up to 90, the market focused on eight major multinational manufacturers.

A

Notably, parallel to the mergers in the pesticide market situation was also similar in the seed market, which until well into the 50's, were developed by family businesses. With the development of hybrid corn, comes the need for intellectual property protection increasing number of private companies. Consolidation occurs in the 90's, leaving the seeds in the hands of four large U.S. companies The pesticide industry cakes Purchase stock movement and mergers in the agrochemicals market has been going since the 60 century

earlier. Industry seeks strength of market expansion and product portfolio through acquisitions of small and large companies in the market for pesticides.

are also given in the generic market.

Some of these as the Israelite Makheshim-Agan and United Phosphorus India, which recently bought the DuPont fungicide business based in Colombia, moving strongly caking This has meant that the number of their markets. manufacturers since that time has dropped significantly and there is a While these acquisitions and mergers concentration of pesticides in very may be beneficial for financial few companies: Cropsience Bayer, markets and the formulation and BASF, Syngenta, Dow Chemical, distribution of pesticides, regulators DuPont, among others. are concerned about the excessive power that these companies can Some of the companies that have concentrate on the different markets mostly acquired from other is Synge- in the world agricultural production. nta, which represents the acquisition of 45 pesticide manufacturers at least, Other strategies of the agrochemical including Merck, Ciba-Geigy, Sandoz, industry has been the creation of Novartis, Zeneca and Biosciences GB., consortia. One of these recent Some of them. Another company that examples is the consortium chlorpyhas made significant acquisitions, is rifos, established in China last July, in CropCience Bayer, which bought at which 20 major companies joined least 34 manufacturers of pesticides, together to control the over supply, including ING AgrEvo, Aventis, which threatens to destroy it. The Hoechst-Roussel and Rhone-Poulenc. mission also is to improve manufacturing technology and the environThis market has been moving in all ment, combating counterfeit prodareas and mergers and acquisitions ucts and maintain order.

39

One of the advantages rigging mergers is the synergy that operates in the manufacturer of pesticides and prices may be sincere in the market with advantages for the farmer. On the other hand the concentration of pesticides in too few hands creates an oligopoly, which is not healthy for the markets. Some manufacturers have molecules on their portfolios, exclusively for them and push for comprehensive packages to extend the patent time manufacturing and distribution market subject to the requirement for the purchase of the product range of its portfolio.

Some regulators have found is that most of the merging firms have patented in several decades new formulas or discovered new molecules, to justify the size of their acquisitions, so consider that in this sense does not win the producer.

Another of the uncertain market is the ending time of the exclusive commercial exploitation formulas of 95% of existing pesticides. Many of these are

One strategy that mainly uses the pesticide industry to avoid competition is the non-dissemination of technical and statistical data. These tools are the basis for the submission of any new generic. Obtaining these data should be on line once completed the commercial phase of the product, but their production is not easy and it means an ordeal to The innovation of pesticides can be obtain in the market. measured by the EPA registers new a globalized technological active ingredients. From 1997 to 2006, In efficiency and the development of the proportion was 59%. logistics to serve the markets, are Subsequently most companies get a important strategies and it plays a key single record and very possibly some role in mergers and purchases of small get more than two, so after a period of or large companies. many mergers in doubt the effect of concentration on innovative activity This industry is considered the quinof the pesticide industry during this tessence of world agriculture. The millions of acres exist could not be period. developed without a strategy to Another effect is that the merger may combat crop diseases or without lead to the political economy of scale improved seeds. that large firms are better able to influence government regulations, possi- It is true that there are fewer deals but bly so that could discourage generic existing companies serving the market well enough. entry. even between the EPA and other regulatory bodies, especially in Europe.

However, the industry is pushing for the products of these molecules or formulas, which sometimes are referred to only low concentrations are considered as primary products and are extending the commercial exploitation of patent exclusivity.

40

European banana producers meet in Paris to define strategy

Ranking companies Colombia agrochemicals In 2008, Colombo Venezolanos monomers retained its leadership, but he pulled one back Abocol and distanced himself from Bayer CropScience.

Monomers sales totaled Colombo Venezolanos $ 900,331 million (approximately U.S. $ 458 million) and its subsidiary EcofĂŠrtil to $ 218,129 million (approximately U.S. $ 111 million). Their growth relative to 2007 were 12.4% and 7.7% respectively. In comparison, sales of Abocol committed to an ambitious regional expansion program, increased 46.9%, totaling $ 535,178 million (approximately U.S. $ 272 million).

European Association of Banana Producers (APEB) has convened a meeting in Paris on September 7 in order to make the strategy before the negotiations in Brussels, the possible increase of the financial statement of the community had for the bananas.

The APEB indicated in a statement that in the last period of the year will be demonstrated in Brussels on possible increase in the financial statement of the community had for the bananas from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

Multilateral international agreements to which the European Union reached in Geneva at the World Trade Organization, and bilateral agreements with Latin American countries were signed in Madrid, will have negative consequences for EU producers, he says.

This has led to the APEB to seek compensation through the increase of the current financial statement as a way to minimize the serious impact that these agreements will have for the outermost regions and thus be able to maintain both EU banana production as farmers' incomes . The application of the Community producers was taken first by the French Government and subsequently also by the Spanish and Portuguese executives.

The purpose of this meeting is APEB analyze the current situation they are in these negotiations and make this partnership strategy developed in the last quarter of the year.

The following players were characterized by slower growth: Bayer CropScience had sales of $ 321,426 million (approximately U.S. $ 163 million) and an increase of 0.3%, Dow Agrosciences de Colombia $ 311,328 million (approximately U.S. $ 158 million) and 3.5%; Brenntag Colombia and $ 244,991 million (approximately U.S. $ 125 million) and 6.2%.

Later in the ranking were Compania Agricola Colombiana (Coacol), a subsidiary of Monsanto, with sales of $ 176,072 million (approximately $ 90 million) and an increase of 32.9%, Syngenta $ 170,188 million (approximately $ 87 million) and 21.1 % and Andean Proficol $ 80,258 million (approximately $ 41 million) together with Proficol $ 66,771 million (approximately U.S. $ 34 million), whose variations in sales were 9.9% and -5.5%, respectively.

During 2007-2008 the agrochemical producers benefited from rising international prices of its products and the strength of exports, but domestic demand faced a relatively discouraged.

For the immediate future is not projected to change in the trends related to domestic demand, although both lower international prices of finished products as the main inputs and raw materials. The peso devaluation would encourage exports, but more expensive imports of these inputs and raw materials.

42

Protecci贸n Garantizada

庐

Africa: Bananas against infant and maternal mortality M

aternal and child health in Africa could be improved with a rich banana genetically, according to preliminary findings of a study conducted by Ugandan scientists and Australia.

Chronic malnutrition and deficiency of nutrients such as vitamin A and iron are responsible for health problems that often have children and women in Uganda, which undermines efforts to reduce mortality in those sectors of the population.

"We take the genes from other plants that increase the more vitamins and iron and put them on bananas," said Professor Wilberforce Tushemereirwe, head of the National Banana Research of the State National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO , for its acronym in English).

Ferritin, iron storage protein, is inserted into banana cells to enhance the accumulation of the element in the pulp of the fruit.

You can insert genes of plants rich in vitamin A such as yellow corn and non-edible species of banana, Asupina.

GM bananas are grown in a field of Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, north of the Ugandan capital.

"We are about to prove it works the concept of putting genes in banana to express and accumulate to produce vitamin A and iron," he said. "That's what we want to prove," he said.

"If we succeed, the new variety concentrate four times more

vitamin A than the present," he said published by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Tushemereirwe. and Food and Nutrition Technical It is the first time that a transgenic Assistance. cultivated in Africa, but it will take eight years before rich bananas can "The advantage of Biodiversificabe planted for commercial tion crop is within the reach of the communities and that can be purposes, he said. taught to plant. It is much cheaper The research, which takes five years, because people believe that fortiis in charge of NARO and the fied products are sold in supermarAustralian Queensland University kets are more expensive," said IPS chief Nutrition of the Ministry of of Technology.

Health, Elizabeth Madraa.

"Our biggest achievement is that the genes we put in bananas work "It's a brilliant idea," said Sarah very well in Australia. Now be evalu- Muitta Magoola, a nutritionist at ated in an Australian banana, which the Kampala International Hospital. quadrupled the amount vitamin A. "Lack of vitamin A is a major nutriWe try to see if we can do here," he tional deficiencies in Uganda, especially among women of childbearsaid. ing age and newborns," he said.

"Right now is an indirect achieve"You do not need genetically modiment," he said. fied bananas that fact, but can be Seventy-three percent of children used to address the problems of under five years and 49 percent of local consumers," said Tushemwomen of childbearing age in ereirwe referring to the controversy Uganda have anemia. Vitamin A over the safety of GMOs. deficiency affects 20 percent of both sectors of the population, It is important to sensitize the according to the Demographic population on the transgenic banana and on the importance of Health Survey 2006. vitamin A, said Magoola.

Malnutrition affects more than two million children under five years in "To market the new crop, farmers need to know why the banana this country. plant. People with nutritional More than 520,000 children die of deficiencies are the poorest," he malnutrition between 2006 and said.

2015 if it maintains the status quo, We must also publicize the dangers according to estimates. of a lack of vitamin A and which About 24 percent of maternal foods contain this nutrient. deaths are associated with iron deficiency. Projections indicate that Tushemereirwe said his organiza15,000 women will die of reproduc- tion has a communications plan to tive age between 2006 and 2015 of disseminate information on the anemia, according to analysis on banana enriched among the differthe food situation in Uganda, ent actors.

44

Neosyris concept Internet innovator

NEOSIRYS, is a young company, which is open countryside between the best Web lladores developed, the domestic market.

Banana Export, Dialogue with the Executive Director of this site, Petronio DueĂąas

whatever this without the leverage of the Internet.

We have good prices, in this we are competitive and our presence at Expo inputs is to make us more visible to the target customer.

Petronio "I see you're quite segmented in Web page development for the agricultural sector. Tell us what is most interesting or opening there for the negotiations that occur with this online tool?

"One of the specific aspects of the consultancy Neosirys is how you get on you in this matter and that benefits can take a client with

As is pointed Neosirys pages and applications developed for some of the Raquel Landetta, Grte. Gral. Petronio DueĂąas C.E.O. , junto a Juan GonzĂĄlez Director Ejecutivo y ejecutivas de APCSA agricultural enterprises. We have been very well received, we this tool lie? begin with small projects and now the company has grown 65% every month percentage developing solutions for Neosirys has a consulting division that will not stay in the only electronic commerce and information and to promote prodapproach to the problem, but we go further when we develop the ucts for export. We had a good year and the development of solution, which always draw from the analysis of their strengths and these Web products, there is a growing market demand as we weaknesses, so that solutions are never out of context what our have focused on the service at the right price in order to customers already know to do. The guide is to strengthen its pros promote the development of our clients, all with international quality standards.

What is new that is a good strategy to complement the image on the Web? What are some of the aspects that customers are generally inclined towards the solutions or tools that Neosyris It is important that the company will enter the Web have prior proposed? knowledge of what they want to do with your site. Web sites are generally open without a clear idea. That is what the consultancy, to We have a package of interesting and custom tools. The client know how we are positioned. If the company has this concept clear, is given alternatives through Neosirys team. We go to the facilitating their integration into social networks and some other company, raise a diagnosis of the process that the customer online ad spending in major search engines will give a very good has traditionally carried out subsequently complemented by visit to the site which can translate into sales or consolidation of its specific recommendations for its development. In the agriculcorporate image. In this regard, the personalization of the solutions tural sector have acquired a great knowledge through our plays a crucial role as the fact that several companies or customers relationship with many of them and when we are able to offer of the same sector or product does not mean that the solutions to a range of corporate and customized solutions, which boost serve one another. their work online.

Neosirys has a well defined strategy in this regard and recognizes the individuality of their customers, hence the portfolio of solutions Do you consider the interest of the business has grown over that makes available to each of them. We hope to continue growing the platform of the Internet? with our customers and the company's goal is to position your brand and corporate brand portfolio.

There is a very good demand. Today business is not conceived 45

Honduras is the Queen 2010 Banana World T

he winner was Hilda GรกmezPhillips, representative of Honduras, is the new World Banana Queen.

Ecuador had its traditional Banana Fair this past September which elects the World Queen of Bananas and Banana King. The winner was Alessya Gรกmez Hilda Phillips, 25 years old, who represented Honduras and was chosen among 16 participants of the contest. Laura Vivian Spoy, Peru, took the crown of viceroy. Also, the representative of Venezuela, Esmeralda Vasquez Yaniche Alexandrina, was appointed by her peers as Miss Friendship.

Laura Spoy, Peru, was awarded the Most Beautiful Face, and Ava Ferdowsmakan, Canada, was named Miss Photogenic.

The event that brings together the re p re s e nt a tives of producing countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and representatives of U.S. consumers.

C a n a d a , Germany and o t h e r captures the interest of locals and foreigners, living a real party with outstretched costumes of the participants.

The new World Banana Queen 2010 was crowned by outgoing queen, Venezuelan Josephine Karam Leรณn,

and the tape was placed by the prefect of El Oro, Montg o m e r y Sanchez.

Among the prizes for winning are cash and a crown, while the Viceroy also earned her money.

The Honduran said he felt very happy and it was a surprise to have achieved such success. "I thank everyone for the support Ecuadorian and I love Machala, I want that promotes tourism in this city," said

1.70 m, its measures are 86-91-86, her skin is dark-skinned and has brown eyes, fluent in English and is considered a woman entrepreneur and a dreamer. In 2009 she was elected Miss Honduras Earth and also participated in contests such as Miss Honduras National Beauty Pageant of Petroleum in Colombia.

Believes that a beauty queen is measured by what you can bring "love and not just physical beauty, because true beauty is in the heart of all human beings."

Among its goals is to complete their higher studies and work on projects of social benefit.

World Banana Queen 2010.

Gamez Alessya Hilda Phillips was born in Bay Islands (Honduras), is 46

The choice of World Bananas Reina kept his 47 th edition and is one of the international beauty contests oldest place in Ecuador. In developing the program, Serbian Serrano was awarded gold medal for winning the title at his ranch Banana King Mine, El Guabo

.J AV

www. boschettinet .com UA

AN NT

CA

EN MAR

AY AQ UI L

5 • .(593-4) 23 98 G O KM .0 .

344 / 23 98 24 9• .G U

-E

R O D A U C •