Banana yields in Colombia fell by 16 per cent through the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 following torrential rains that have devastated some growing regions.
According to El Colombiano, a meeting of national grower association Augura saw producers outline the damage caused by the rains, with the entire banana production region of Uraba said to be 'saturated' with water.
In addition, the rains have made it difficult for exporters to meet their supply obligations, with Augura board vice-president Gabriel Harry Hinestroza noting that 10 per cent of the region's planted area, or 8,400ha, would have to be replanted at an estimated cost of US$10m.
'The government has to stand beside us, and with the region, and it has to help us preserve jobs in this time of crisis,' said Victor Henriquez Velasquez, president of banana distributor Banacol.
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