Ecuador and the United States signed the Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) on March 13, 2026. This agreement aims to improve access for Ecuadorian products to the U.S. market and directly impacts one of the key components of the national economy: agricultural exports. The significant data highlights that the agreement will eliminate surcharges that currently affect 53% of Ecuadorian non-oil exports to the United States, amounting to USD 2.786 billion based on 2025 figures. In essence, more than half of these exports will be able to compete under better conditions in one of the largest markets in the world.

Chiquita has unveiled a second artwork in its 2026 Pop by Nature campaign, created with contemporary artist Jiaqi Wang. While the first piece reintroduced Miss Chiquita in her tropical setting, this new chapter presents her in motion—dancing, cooking, and sharing everyday moments that highlight bananas as a global staple. Now in its third year, Pop by Nature positions bananas as both nourishment and a cultural symbol. Wang’s vibrant style transforms Miss Chiquita from a static icon into a relatable, modern character.

Chiquita has resumed limited banana production in Panama as part of a phased reactivation after shutting down operations in mid-2025 due to heavy losses and a union strike that led to 5,500 layoffs. Since November, production has remained low and focused on the local market, allowing the company to test fruit quality and evaluate upgraded packing facilities. No export timeline has been confirmed, though the goal is to meet international standards.

The Port of Vigo is set to begin demolishing eight old cement silos at the Guixar container terminal, freeing up over 6,000 square meters of space to enhance efficiency. This initiative aims to address the recent surge in containerised fruit traffic. The project includes a tender for the demolition and adaptation of the esplanade, scheduled for April, with an estimated budget of 1.5 million euros. Port sources state that this development is a significant step in modernising infrastructure to support continued growth and competitiveness.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges closed 2025 with a record year for the reefer segment, with the port handling 1,170,394 TEU of reefer containers, the highest volume ever recorded. The growth is primarily driven by a 13.5% increase in import volumes. Export volumes of reefer containers remain largely stable (0.9%) and represent 35% of the total volume.

Rodolphe Saade-led CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest container carrier, will sign a firm contract with state-owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd on February 18, 2026, for constructing six container ships in a deal worth about $300 million, catapulting India into the big league of shipbuilding nations.

CMA CGM's Fiordland has become the first large container vessel to dock at Puerto Antioquia, Colombia's newly operational multipurpose port in Turbo, Antioquia. This milestone highlights the port's capability to accommodate post-Panamax ships, enhancing container logistics networks across Latin America and potentially improving transhipment routes for Indian exporters through connections to the Panama Canal.

The agricultural sector in Costa Rica has experienced a significant decline in its contribution to the country's economy, falling to 3.34% of the gross domestic product (GDP). This reduction comes alongside the loss of over 47,000 jobs, highlighting the sector's ongoing importance to rural employment, according to economists and industry representatives.

During week 08, banana selling prices in St. Petersburg ranged from 23.70 to 24.40 USD per box, CIF. Approximately 1.8 million boxes were discharged, and an additional 2.175 million boxes are expected in week 09. The exchange rate is currently 76.64 Rubles for 1 USD. Rosstandart has approved the first regulations in Russia for bananas intended for import and subsequent sale in various markets. These new rules will monitor the importation of bananas based on several criteria, including appearance, taste, smell, and degree of ripeness. Remarkably, the import of yellow bananas is prohibited. Other requirements specify that the fruit should have a subtle banana flavour, produce latex when cut, measure at least 14 centimetres in length, and have at least three fingers per hand.

The Canary Islands' banana production totalled 374.6 million kilos in 2025, a 12% decline. This marks the second-lowest harvest in the past 25 years. Despite remaining a preferred choice among consumers and reinforcing its added value, the Canary Islands' banana sector has struggled to compete with imported bananas on the Peninsula. In 2025, consumption of imported bananas increased from 285 million kilos in 2024 to over 322 million kilos, a 4.62% increase. This increase was largely due to a decline in the domestic product.

Hapag-Lloyd has entered into a merger agreement with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., the world's 10th largest container shipping line. Under this agreement, Hapag-Lloyd will acquire 100% of ZIM's shares for $35.00 per share in cash, bringing the total transaction value to over $4 billion. The combined business will exceed 3 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in capacity, with more than 400 vessels, enabling the transport of over 18 million TEU annually. Customers will benefit from a significantly enhanced network across major trade routes.

The global price of organic fruit and vegetables increased in Germany in 2025, and consumption remained firm. Fruit prices rose by 4.6 per cent in 2025, and vegetable prices by just 1 per cent, according to data from the AMI Consumer Mirror, in a report to be published in the February issue. The average price increase for organic fresh products in Germany in 2025 was 2.2 per cent, lower than in 2024.

Fresh Del Monte Produce has received approval from the US Bankruptcy Court to acquire select assets of California-based Del Monte Foods Corporation and its affiliates. This marks a significant milestone in a court-supervised sale process under Section 363 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The court ruling allows the transaction to advance to the pre-closing phase, providing regulatory and procedural certainty as the company moves through the remaining steps, including customary regulatory reviews and other closing conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will implement a $100 million recovery program for banana and plantain farmers following Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the country's commercial crops on October 28, 2025. The program, to be carried out by the Banana Board and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), aims to assist approximately 5,000 banana and plantain farmers and rehabilitate more than 2,500 hectares of damaged farmland.

Maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety has become a key requirement for competing in European markets. In this context, Europlátano has renewed its IFS Food certification for 2026 at its plants in Tenerife South and Palomares, achieving the Higher Level—the top qualification granted by this international standard. This accomplishment positions Europlátano as the only company in the banana sector with this recognition in the Canary Islands.