Heavy rainfall in the Dominican Republic has caused major damage to banana farms in the north of the country.
Simeón Ramírez, president of the Dominican Banana Association (Adobanano), said around 5,500ha of plantations have been damaged by floodwater, causing estimated losses of RD$2.1bn (US$45.5m).
The figure has been confirmed by National Agricultural Producers Confederation (Confenagro) director Hecmilio Galván.
Ramírez said exports are down by around 90,000 boxes from their average weekly total of 380,000 boxes.
'That in terms of money implies a high value, it implies that probably for next year, when this begins to be reflected by year end, we'll have US$50m less,' he said.
President Danilo Medina and other officials visited the worst affected areas to assess the damage caused by the heavy rains and to coordinate aid to the region.
The industry said it expects the government to assign at least RD$1bn (US$25m) for loans to producers within five years and a grace period of one year to start paying.
