Ecuador, the world's largest banana exporter, could be set for record levels of rainfall over the next month, potentially impacting new crops of the fruit.
The National Meteorology and Hydrology Institute's head coordinator of weather forecasting Humberto Enriquez told Business Week that rains in the country will peak this month and will then continue at 'moderate intensities' through May.
'With the quantity of precipitation that we've had, it's very probable banana planting has been affected,' said Mr Enriquez. 'Because of Ecuador's unique geography, it's difficult to predict what the weather will do beyond a few days, but we're expecting more rains on the coast.'
Intense precipitation has already killed at least 29 people and damaged properties on the coast of Ecuador's eastern jungles, according to the government, with the agricultural regions of El Oro, Los Rios and Manabi the worst hit.
