Mario de Goede

Mario de Goede

Banana producers in Colombia are looking for stability in the market after a tough 2009 for the South American country’s industry.

Mario de Goede of Fruitpoint said the market was currently “very stable” and that companies in Latin America were fearful that oversupply could seriously push prices down.

He said: “There are so many influences on the banana market including strikes and weather problems, as well as changes in the exchange rate, that the average market in Europe is proving tough.”

He did note, however, that environmental and social conditions in the Colombian banana industry had taken “great strides”.

Colombian pineapple producers are looking for a year-round stable market too after prices fluctuated wildly through 2009.