Colombian banana supply uneven in 2022

2022 did not seem a promising year for Colombia as an origin on European market, with banana imports over the first two months registering a level of around 30 % below average. However, from March, shipments to the EU27+UK regained some vitality, taking an upturn to reach 10 % above average, thereby extending the shipments peak until April. Despite the seasonal fall which began in May, the Colombian supply remained well above average until August. However, the poor climate conditions for production (high rainfall in some zones, lack of sun) and lack of fertilisation hit productivity hard, which led to a knock-on effect on exports in the second half. From September, shipments were back to near-average levels, before waning significantly toward the end of the year, registering a cumulative shortfall of around 20 % over the last two months. Hence despite the start and end of the year bringing major shortfalls, the annual figures were decent overall, at just 4 % below average and 3 % down on 2021.

colombian bananas - EU imports