1st half in the red for the Colombian banana

If the customs data published by Eurostat for the EU27 are correct, Colombian banana imports in the 1^st half of 2023 registered a significant shortfall on previous years: 530 000 tonnes, i.e. -14 % on the1^st half of 2022 and 13 % below the 3-year average (2019-2022). It was the worst 1^st half performance for the past 5 years, with volumes particularly small from March onwards, and the shortfall gradually widening to reach -35 % in June! There are multiple causes, related to poor weather conditions since late 2022 generated by the La Niña phenomenon ­– expressed in particular by record rainfall in the production zones - as well as under-fertilising by some producers because of soaring fertiliser costs.

banana - EU27 - imports from colombia between january and june

banana - EU27 - imports from colombia between january and june

banana - EU27 - monthly imports from colombia

banana - EU27 - monthly imports from colombia

It should be noted that the USA had a similar trend, albeit with a smaller shortfall. The 1^st half of 2023 registered a drop of 7 % from 2022, though it was only 1 % below the 3-year average. Monthly, this shortfall fluctuated between 10 % and 15 % from February onwards. 

banana - USA - imports from colombia between january and june

banana - USA - imports from colombia between january and june

banana - EU27 - monthly imports from colombia

banana - EU27 - monthly imports from colombia