Ecuador forced to look for new markets for its bananas after Russian sanctions for delivering Soviet weapons to the US

Ecuador should look for new markets for its banana production, after Russia suspended part of fruit imports weeks later Quito announced that it will deliver old Soviet weapons to U.S to send it to Ukraine.

On February 5th, the Russian veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance service suspended the authorization of five banana exporters produced in Ecuador, signaling the presence of flies in the fruit. Four days later, the same measure was applied to exports of some Ecuadorian flowers.

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“This is a new challenge for the Ecuadorian producer and exporter to start look for new markets”said this Wednesday the Minister of Production, Sonsoles Garcíain an interview with the Teleamazonas channel.

Russia It is the second destination for Ecuadorian bananas, with 21% (almost 76 million boxes) of total sales abroad, behind the European Union with 28%, according to the Banana Exporters Association of Ecuador (AEBE).

According to the Russian press, nine out of ten bananas imported by that country come from Ecuador.

Garcia explained that the five sanctioned companies, which supplied a quarter of the Ecuadorian banana which Russia buys according to local media, has received phytosanitary notifications since last year due to the presence of the humpback fly in its containers.

The restrictions on Ecuadorian fruits occurred after Quito announced that it will exchange with washington Russian weaponry considered “scrap” to be later sent to Ukraineto use it in its military counteroffensive in the context of the war with Russia.

The spokesman for Russian diplomacy, Maria Zakharovacalled the decision “reckless.”

For the minister Garciathe measure is not revenge for the president’s intention Daniel Noboa to deliver Russian weapons to Washington.

“If there had been real retaliation, the origin of the fruit would have been suspended (Ecuador), something that has not happened until now“, said the minister.

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Kevin Sullivanhe highlighted in Quito last week that Russian weapons will be exchanged for new equipment valued at 200 million dollars.

Ecuador will deliver six helicopters of the type MY and long-range rocket launch systems and anti-aircraft defense, indicated the local media. In return, they will receive modern weapons to combat violence linked to drug trafficking.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.