In November, the supply pressure remained high despite livelier demand (falling temperatures, weak competition from seasonal fruits). The overall dollar banana supply remained large: Ecuadorian volumes were lower than last year, and the Costa Rica continued its seasonal fall, though Colombia attained an incoming shipments peak at historically high levels (+ 50 %). In addition, the big shortfall from the French West Indies due to the impact of Cyclone Matthew (- 29 %) was offset by very high African imports. Hence despite more fluid sales, some stocks remained available and prices stagnated.
In December, the supply pressure eased off, with Colombian volumes finally embarking on a more significant fall, despite levels remaining above average. The combined Africa-FWI total fell below average because of the downturn by Africa, which could no longer offset the growing FWI shortfall (- 54 %). However, this fall came late, with demand beginning its seasonal downturn in the run-up to the end-of-year festivities. Hence there were stocks available throughout this period, and prices maintained barely average levels in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, prices were below average for the season due to the avalanche of volumes from Western Europe. Finally, the situation in Russia remained difficult because of a steep increase in volumes observed in November and December. In Spain, the period was marked by still high shipments from the Canaries, and prices stagnated well below average.
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