In five years, Acorbanec already represents 38% of Ecuador's banana exports

The guild, founded in November 2016, began with 16 companies and currently represents 50 companies in the banana sector.

With 38 % of the country's banana exports, through the 50 companies it represents, the Banano Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec) last Wednesday five years since it obtained its legal status, on November 10, 2016, in the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

Its executive director, Richard Salazar,He recalled that the guild began with 16 members and assured that its dynamic growth is based on the services it provides, such as commercial intelligence, the opening of markets, a documentary and statistical center, as well as the support for the sustainable and sustainable production of the fruit.

"Before, a tribute of up to 2 % on the FOB price was paid; now it is on the differential, except the minimum support price of the producer; on that basis it is paid to 3 %. Additionally, we achieve a tax incentive towards the producer that has certification in good agricultural agricultural practices; those who have it pay up to 50 % less tax," said Salazar as one of the achievements of the guild In the creation of Bananero cluster of Ecuador, in which guilds from all over the chain participate.

The Association has also signed strategic agreements to advise its partners on technical and financial issues. One of them is with COFACE, which allows members to access credit insurance to support the payment of the fruit and have information about the commercial behavior of clients abroad.

Salazar added that they continue to work on a friendly production with the environment, so they have supported the financing of a study with the University of California Davis to boost sustainability in banana crops.

In addition, he stressed that in the guild more than half of its partners are also producers.

"That is, we are shrinking those distancing that there was a few years ago, that antagonism between producers and exporters, and reducing it to its maximum expression for good the activity," said the leader, who explained that in the short term Acorbanec is committed to promoting a comprehensive regulatory change that helps the sector to promote competitiveness according to the current reality of the markets, and continue to support Banano marketers.