In a recent turn of events, a diplomatic row between Ecuador and Russia has taken a new twist as Russia announced a ban on imports of bananas from five Ecuadorian companies. This move comes in response to Ecuador's decision to transfer old Russian military equipment to the United States.
Ecuador, the world's leading exporter of bananas, earns approximately $3.5 billion annually from its banana sales. Russia accounts for roughly a fifth of these sales, making it a significant market for Ecuador. The ban on banana imports has raised concerns among Ecuadorian banana exporters about the potential impact on their businesses.
The ban was announced by Russia's federal agency for veterinary and phytosanitary controls, citing the discovery of a disease in previous shipments of Ecuadorian bananas. However, many speculate that this ban may be a retaliatory measure against Ecuador's decision to transfer military equipment to the United States.
Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa, defended the decision by stating that the old Russian military equipment was no longer usable and described it as 'scrap metal.' He further explained that the new military gear obtained from the United States is essential in combating the drug gangs that have been causing havoc in the country.
Russia's foreign ministry expressed their disagreement with Ecuador's actions, arguing that the decision to transfer the equipment violated their contract. According to the contract, Ecuador could not sell the equipment to third parties without Russia's consent. This disagreement has further strained the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Carlos Estarellas, a former Ecuadorian vice minister for foreign affairs, suggested that Russia's ban on banana imports may indeed be a response to the transfer of military equipment. He emphasized the importance of resolving this impasse through diplomatic dialogue.
Richard Salazar, the director of ACORBANEC, one of Ecuador's main associations of banana exporters, expressed surprise at Russia's drastic decision. However, he noted that at least 15 companies continue to export bananas to Russia. Salazar acknowledged the significance of the Russian market for Ecuador's banana industry and highlighted the difficulty in finding a replacement market.
While there has been no official notification of the ban from Russia to the association, Salazar stated that they are actively seeking a meeting with Russian authorities to address the issue and work towards lifting the ban.
The outcome of this diplomatic rift remains uncertain. Both countries are urged to engage in constructive dialogue to find a resolution that ensures the continuation of the banana trade between Ecuador and Russia. In the meantime, Ecuadorian banana exporters are closely monitoring developments and exploring alternative options to mitigate the impact on their businesses.
