Ecuadorian banana exports to EU up 13% in H1 2026 amid higher production

Ecuador increased its banana exports to the European Union by 13% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, driven by higher yields and strong demand in key EU markets.

Ecuador exported over 210 million boxes of bananas globally in the first half of 2026, a 5.5% increase year-on-year. The European Union remained Ecuador's largest destination, accounting for 33% of total shipments. Exports to the EU grew by 13% compared to the same period in 2025, with Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Malta, Slovenia, Cyprus, Lithuania, and the Netherlands showing especially strong import demand.

Russia received nearly 21% of Ecuadorian banana exports in this period, with volumes up approximately 10%. The Middle East accounted for 15% of shipments, while the US share fell to 11% after a 9% decline in exports. Exports to Africa dropped 44% following Ecuador's loss of market access in Algeria. China received about 2% more Ecuadorian bananas year-on-year, supported by lower production in competing Asian countries and lower Chinese tariffs under a free trade agreement.

The increase in Ecuadorian exports was attributed to improved production conditions, with higher yields per bunch and additional banana acreage entering commercial production. However, heavy rainfall and flooding in Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro provinces and ongoing El Niño conditions remain risks for supply in the coming months.

In the Canary Islands, which supply bananas to Spain and the EU, researchers have warned that rising temperatures and water scarcity threaten the long-term viability of banana monocultures. The sector remains highly dependent on bananas and avocados, with calls for increased diversification to adapt to climate change. No current price impact was reported, but future production risks may affect availability.

In Myanmar, banana exports to China from April 2025 to January 2026 fell by 45.4% year-on-year due to domestic instability and stricter phytosanitary controls. Reduced Asian production, especially in the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China, continues to support demand for Latin American bananas in Europe and globally.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI