Making Bananas Better

#FairBananaDay was on October 7th. What do you know about bananas? Try these facts on for size.

In 1997, fourteen banana farmers in southwestern Ecuador took a leap of faith and shipped a container of bananas across the ocean in search of better markets. By cutting out local intermediaries and dealing directly with international buyers, they hoped to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

Since that humble launch Fairtrade bananas has blossomed – both for the farmers of El Guabo, who sold 45 million pounds of bananas in 2013 – and for Fairtrade bananas in general.

In the UK, 30 percent of all bananas are Fairtrade.  In Switzerland it’s actually 50% of the market.

Did you know:

• The standard unit of measure in the banana industry is a 40-pound box of bananas.
•  You can find El Guabo’s fresh bananas on grocery shelves under the Equal Exchange label or in Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.
• You can use banana peels to polish your shoes.

October 7 was #FairBananaDay – but it’s never too late to tweet your banana party.

A stormy past

There are few fruits with a history as tainted as bananas. Wars have been waged, labor organizers and regular workers threatened or murdered, and small farmers have been throttled by margins so tight that they couldn’t feed their families.

The average american at 11.4 pounds of bananas in 2013.

Bananas are big business in the US. According to the USDA, the average American ate 11.4 pounds of bananas in 2013 and they are the top import among fresh fruits. They also hold a special distinction in supermarkets. They’re bright, they’re yellow and low prices bring customers through the door. Hence retailers often apply heavy pressure on traders and producers to lower prices and margins.

How Fairtrade Helps

For the farmers of El Guabo, the Fairtrade Minimum Price can serve as a safety net when market prices fall below the level of sustainable production – something that happens with regularity. And the farmers who produce organic bananas receive an extra amount to compensate for producing more sustainably. This stability allows farmers and the cooperative to better plan for the future.

And the additional Fairtrade Premium for development on each box of bananas sold helps them invest in their community and business, or whatever the farmers of El Guabo democratically choose. El Guabo invests much of their Fairtrade Premium in helping members improve productivity and quality, and improving the export side of their business. Much of the Premium has also been invested in education programs for the community, environmental improvement projects and support for families with emergency costs.

“Fairtrade has improved our members’ and farm workers’ standard of living. We now have the resources to help the community and conserve the environment,” said Jovanny Coronel, El Guabo Treasurer

Growth and Influence

The first members of El Guabo were small-scale farmers with little influence in the market and seasonal migrants working land they didn’t control. Since that time, the membership has grown to more than 2,000 and the farmers have spread their influence. Their bananas can be found in the US, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and New Zealand.

They also hold a unique position as the only Fairtrade banana farmers who are also co-owners of an importer, Agrofair, who helped them with their first container when they began. This joint ownership of the supply chain gives small farmers a stronger voice in trade and allows them to reap more of the benefits of the banana trade.

In the US, El Guabo’s bananas are imported by Equal Exchange and show up in your favorite produce aisle with the Fairtrade Mark. And their banana puree finds its way into your Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. (Chunky Monkey anyone?)

Challenges and Opportunities

Even for all their success, El Guabo faces challenges. A changing climate is making banana cultivation more difficult than ever with an increase in pests and disease, which affects quality and productivity. In particular, the Black Sigatoka fungus is a constant threat that must be managed. These problems can in turn affect membership as farmers have to learn how to adapt and fight off the disease.

In addition, the farmers continue to compete for market space with unscrupulous growers and plantations who can afford to sell for less thanks to the poor treatment of workers and environmental shortcuts.

Challenges aside, the farmers of El Guabo continue to work for trade on fairer terms. The Fairtrade Minimum Price and the extra farmers receive for producing organic bananas lend stability and help farmers plan for the future. And the Fairtrade Premium gives them what they need to invest in their community and business.

Read more about El Guabo