The Panama Canal Authority is studying possible solutions to the problems plaguing the canal due to the lack of rainfall. These include an artificial lake to pump water into the canal and cloud seeding to increase rainfall, but both options would take years to implement, if feasible at all. With water levels languishing at 1.8 meters below average, the Canal Authority limited the number of ships crossing it.

The Mondoni Banana Company strengthens the presence of the Fruit Company in Cameroon. The Compagnie Fruitière de Marseille, leader of the banana market in Cameroon, recently launched a new subsidiary in the country. The Mondoni Banana Company (CDBM) has been operational since June 2023 and strengthens the presence of the French agro-industrial multinational in the Cameroonian banana market.

European supermarkets are reportedly requesting a decrease of 1.30 euros on the price of a box of bananas, which prompted producers and exporters of the fruit in several Latin American countries to express their dissatisfaction with what they call "inconsistency between the sustainable practices required of producers and commercial practices".

European supermarkets are requesting a reduction in the purchase price of bananas from Latin America. According to a sector representative, if the proposal becomes effective, there would be direct economic effects on banana activity in Costa Rica, which involves 150,000 families and generates about $ 1,000 million annually in exports.

At the South Pacific Terminal (TPS) of Valparaíso, Cool Carriers ship Knud Reefer embarked 2,000 pallets of fruit destined for the U.S. East Coast market, which will be discharged at the Port of Gloucester. The loading operations were carried out at Site 5 of the Port of Valparaíso concessionaire, and once completed, the Knud Reefer will stop at Puerto Caldera, Atacama Region, to repeat the operation in Valparaíso.

The Unions Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, and Uiltrasporti have announced a three-day strike of the staff working on the Vado Gateway platform from 15 to January 18. It is the first strike since the opening of this terminal. The protest began after the stalemate in negotiations with the company regarding the requests of the social partners, who aim to obtain an additional 10 euros per day on the flexibility chapter, to adapt wages to the cost of living, and a new agreement on training.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company solidified its position as the most extensive shipping line in the world in 2023 with the addition of over one million TEUs (20-foot equivalent containers), per new numbers shared by Alphaliner. MSC overtook Maersk and emerged as the most extensive shipping line in the world at the beginning of 2022.

Under the Support to Pest Exclusion in the Caribbean- Efforts to exclude TR4 in the Caribbean Project Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/ APHIS) and technical assistance from IICA, Dominica has received the plants and supporting materials to undertake open field trials and evaluate compatibility and resistance in the final phase of the project.

An official said that after successfully exporting a trial shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands through the sea route, India aims to increase exports of this fruit to $1 billion in the next five years. Exports of most fruits from India are happening by air route because of lower volumes and different ripening periods.

The major carriers remain divided on sending vessels through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea as they continue to acknowledge that safety remains a concern. With the deployment of the international security coalition in the region, several carriers, including Maersk, are beginning to restore some services, while others continue to say it is too soon due to the instability and safety issues.

A few days before the end of 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock informed us that until this Sunday, December 31, producers, marketers, and exporters must submit all contracts and renewals, physical or virtual, through the Single Window. At the end of 2022, the number of contracts signed was very low, but the number has increased this year.

Banana selling prices in St Petersburg according to brand, volume, quality, and packing were USD 21.95-23.10 per box CIF in a market where demand improved compared to the past week. Nearly 566.000 boxes were discharged in week 52, and around 2.37 million are expected for week 1 of 2024. The exchange rate was 1 USD=89.69 RUB.

Costa Rica's banana industry sees 2024 with "uncertainty" due to logistical and climatic problems, as well as the position of European supermarkets to request discounts of up to 8% in the price of the fruit. "For 2024 there is strong uncertainty in terms of logistical aspects due to the situation of the Panama Canal that could affect everyone, both users and non-users.

The Government of Panama has extended until next May the state of environmental emergency decreed seven months ago in case of a prolonged drought, which is especially strong this year and affected the neuralgic interoceanic canal. It is an extension that the Executive approved on December 27 to extend until May 31, 2024. The environmental emergency decreed on May 30 expired on December 31.

The National Committee for the Regional Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (Erfen) has confirmed that the El Niño phenomenon is strengthening in Ecuador, and the Secretariat of Risk Management (SGR) maintains the Orange alert. In the middle of the maturity phase, El Niño has left its mark, manifesting itself with anomalies of high temperatures on the Coast during much of the second half of 2023, José González, Coordinator of INAMHI Guayaquil, told the media.