Nine Ecuadorean banana exporters have reportedly been fined a total of US$948,892 for failing to pay the official price per box of US$5.50 via the nation’s Central Bank’s system of payments.
According to a report in El Universo, Exbanecua, Grubafal, Aycamban, Contaban, Corralitos, Banaforexport, Vimticorp, Frutecua and Gilberto Zoleta have been fined for not complying with the new regulation, which forms part of the revised Ecuadorean Banana Law.
Exbanecua is facing the biggest bill of some US$440,891, the report said.
Rafael Guerrero, sub-secretary at the Ecuadorean Ministry of Agriculture and Farming (Magap), explained that the nine companies had not made the payments which are necessary in order to continue trading.
“If it happens three times, exports could be suspended,” Mr Guerrero said. “Controls are ongoing at the port.”
In the last three weeks Magap has apparently investigated 72 banana marketers, nine of which it claims have failed to comply with the new regulation.
A further two companies are allegedly still under investigation, according to the report.
“If it turns out to be correct, the fine will be 50 times the evaded payment,” Mr Guerrero pointed out.
Around 95 per cent of the 140 banana exporters in Ecuador have signed contracts to sell fruit overseas this year, according to Mr Guerrero.
