Costa Rica banana exports to Europe jump 37% in 2006
CORBANA, the National Banana Corporation of Costa Rica, has reported a surge in its exports to Europe in 2006 of a massive 37%, making Europe the largest market for Costa Rica’s banana exports.

The largest increase in imports was in The Netherlands, exploding by a whopping 399%.

Global export levels increased 21% in 2006 over 2005 figures, and export revenues have hit their highest level in a decade reaching $603 million.

The significant increase in banana exports for 2006 over 2005 are testimony to Costa Rica’s quick recovery from the devastating floods that impacted on Costa Rica’s banana exports in 2005. However the increase in export levels has gone beyond making up lost ground: exports for 2006 were a full 10% higher than average export levels for the period 2002-2004.

Growth is not only a result of consolidated investment programmes put in place by the Costa Rican government, but also of increased productivity born of important technological innovations.

Costa Rica is the third largest banana exporter in the world, exporting some 107.4 million boxes (18.14 kg/ box)  in 2006. This compares to the 88.7 million boxes exported in 2005, representing an increase of 21%.

While exports to the United States expanded by 13% over 2006, in overall export rankings the EU edged out the US by one percentage point (50% against 49%) to become Costa Rica’s largest export market.

Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom were the top 5 European markets, combined represented 86% of Costa Rica’s European exports in 2006. The most significant increases in Europe were seen in the Netherlands and Italy which increased their import levels by 399% and 153% respectively.

“Costa Rica has had a tremendous year in 2006, the best in ten years,” said Romano Orlich, President of Corbana. “Our revenues have grown strongly and Europe is now our largest export market, fuelled by strong gains in our core markets. Export levels to the US are also the highest in four years. In 2006 we demonstrated why we are the third largest exporter of bananas in the world.”

Given the importance of the banana export market for the Costa Rican economy, the government launched a rescue plan to help banana producers recover from a difficult year in 2005. Under this plan, banana producers have been able to refinance debts and the government has been working on a strategy to help growers strengthen flood defenses.

Additionally, the government is planning significant improvements to the country’s port infrastructure, which will bolster Costa Rica’s exporting abilities.
 
Productivity has been another powerful driver in Costa Rica’s rebound: levels of banana production in 2006 were amongst the highest in the world. Corbana reported that on average that, producers were able to yield 2,500 boxes per hectare per annum.

Costa Rican banana workers enjoy higher wages and better social services than in many other banana producing countries.

Though it may be the world’s third largest banana exporter, Costa Rica dedicates less than 1% of the national territory to the banana production and has transformed 25% of the country into protected natural parks, thanks to intense reforestation projects.

Corbana research centres are developing stronger banana species in order to limit the use of agrochemicals and guaranteeing better ground sustainability.

Corbana plantations recycle 100% of their organic waste, 97% of the plastic materials (such as the protective bags used to wrap banana racemes) and have reforested 95% of the riverbanks. These standards are comparable to or better than those applied in similar European industries.