Africa’s banana producers association has appealed to retailers to promote a fair, sustainable supply chain to address rising costs.
Joseph Owona Kono, president of Afruibana, wrote an open letter signed by the heads of banana associations in Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast to “draw the attention of stakeholders to the cost increases experienced by the global banana sector and our continent in particular.”
The seafreight costs are expected to increase by 60% in 2022, while he anticipates a significant increase in purchasing costs (cardboard boxes, fertilisers, phytosanitary products) of around 20 to 25%.
Additionally, operating costs are expected to increase by 3 to 5%. “However, it should be noted that these cost increases have so far not translated into increases in the price of bananas.”
“These bottom-low levels themselves come at the end of a long and deep deterioration in the purchase prices that producers have had to cope with on their own year after year.”
“Everyone in our chain, from producer to end-buyer and consumer, must ‘do their part’ and contribute to the positive development of our sector.”
“It is in this state of mind that we wish to prepare for the coming year with our partners in the retailing sector and, with them, ensure that, in 2022 and beyond, the chain that connects our 30,000 employees to millions of European consumers is always fairer and resolutely sustainable.”
In conclusion, the letter states: “In this context, we are counting on the commitment of our European retail partners to make the banana value chains ever fairer and resolutely sustainable. Indeed, only fair selling prices can allow a fair distribution of the value between the actors of our chain. These fair prices are also the key to initiate the essential investments of the ecological and energy transition of our sector during this decade.”
