The Ecuadorian Banana Exporters' Association (AEBE) opened the 23rd Banana Time Guayaquil on October 28, drawing more than 90 exhibitors, over 100 brands, and 29 international experts to the Hilton ColĂłn Hotel under the slogan "Connecting for growth." Running through October 30, the event is the first Latin American banana sector gathering to measure its carbon footprint, with AEBE and partner Sambito collecting greenhouse gas data. Ecuador, the world's leading banana exporter, generates about 250,000 direct jobs in the industry, and AEBE represents more than 70% of the country's banana-exporting companies. The technical program covered productivity, plant health, and export costs including EUDR compliance.
According to www.freshplaza.com, the Ecuadorian Banana Exporters’ Association (AEBE) opened the 23rd edition of Banana Time Guayaquil on October 28 at the Hilton ColĂłn Hotel, under the slogan “Connecting for growth,” with the event set to become the first Latin American banana sector gathering to measure its own carbon footprint.
The three-day event, running through October 30, brings together more than 90 exhibitors, over 100 brands, and 29 international experts. Ecuador is the world’s leading banana exporter, and the industry generates about 250,000 direct jobs, according to the source.
Trade group frames sustainability as field-to-shelf commitment
At the opening ceremony, AEBE Board Chairman Nover HenrĂquez positioned the edition as a forum for discussing the real value of Ecuadorian bananas, linking responsible production with recognition and sustainability across the supply chain.
“We want this edition to foster a wide-ranging dialogue about the true value of our bananas; one in which responsible production receives genuine recognition and sustainability is a firm commitment from the field to the store shelf.” â Nover HenrĂquez, Board Chairman, AEBE
Carlos Encalada, Prefect of Guayas, highlighted the partnership between AEBE and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a way to build commercial ties, and assured growers that the Prefecture would continue to support them, the source reports.
Technical program splits by theme across three days
Each day of Banana Time carried a distinct theme, starting on October 28 with productivity and farm management. Sessions covered satellite-based crop estimation, farms’ exposure to El NiĂąo, and multilateral financing, according to the source.
The October 29 agenda turned to plant health, with the international phytosanitary framework for Fusarium R4T, on-farm biosecurity, and moko control on the program. The closing day, October 30, focused on exports.
- Cargo integrity and refrigerated transport
- The cost of banana crates and the cost of complying with the EUDR
- Waste management and a living wage
The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) is participating in an academic capacity and endorses the certificates awarded to attendees, the source states.
Carbon footprint measurement and first-time Fruit Attraction delegation
Banana Time will be the first Latin American banana sector event to measure its carbon footprint. AEBE and its partner, Sambito, will collect data to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and develop strategies to reduce them in future editions.
It is also the first time a delegation from Fruit Attraction, led by director MarĂa JosĂŠ SĂĄnchez and Americas manager Ana de Quadros, has taken part in the event. The program additionally includes the Mujer Agro meeting, part of the Sembradoras de Futuro initiative, and the 3rd Ecuador Culinary Cup.
Awards honor industry figures and member companies
AEBE presented the “Luis Noboa Naranjo” award to Ălvaro Noboa PontĂłn, the “Segundo Wong Mayorga” award to Reybanpac, and the “Esteban Quirola Figueroa” award to ASOAGRIBAL for its hospital and school project.
The association also recognized 21 member companies for their 5 to 25 years of institutional history and paid tribute to Euclides Palacios of CorporaciĂłn Palmar for his 50-year career. AEBE represents more than 70% of the country’s banana-exporting companies.
The closing ceremony was held on October 30 at 5:00 pm and featured the presentation of the Banana Awards and the Best Stand award, as well as a talk by cyclist Richard Carapaz.
Source: freshplaza.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
