Banana imports into the European Union rose eight per cent during the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year as ACP countries increase their market share.
The figures, released by Eurostat, show that as feared by Latin American producers, ACP countries are gaining ground under the new banana import regime.
Ivory Coast’s share rose by almost 22 per cent and the Dominican Republic and the Windward Islands by 12 per cent each. Although the share of the larvest ACP exporter - Cameroon - fell by more than six per cent, this can be explained by the effects of storm damage in December 2005 that were still being felt in April this year.
Meanwhile, Ecuador’s share of the market fell by four per cent, and Colombia’s and Panama’s by eight and 13 per cent respectively. Costa Rica’s grew by almost five per cent, largely a reflection of low exports in the same period in 2005.
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