Russia lifted the ban on banana exports to five Ecuadorian companies applied due to the alleged presence of the humpback fly (megaselia scalaris) in some shipments, the Chancellery Ecuadorian.
“Russia lifts the ban on banana exports imposed on five Ecuadorian companies”he noted in a message on his account on the social network X.
He added that the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control of Russia “has lifted restrictions, opening new opportunities for trade between both countries”.
«We wake up with good news for our productive sector. Permanent dialogue and coordinated work brings results”reacted the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Gabriela Sommerfeld, on the social network X.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that in recent days she had several meetings with the Russian ambassador in Ecuador, Vladimir Sprinchan, “always in a friendly manner and willing to work in a coordinated manner”.
«Dialogue and diplomacy»
In statements in Russia, the Ecuadorian ambassador, Fernando Holguín, indicated that the announcement of “the suspension of the suspension of the five companies, five exporting companies, is a great announcement for Ecuador.”
“This decision is an example of the importance of the dialogue that must exist at all times between two countries that have traditionally had a very close and very positive relationship.”he asserted.
He appreciated the openness and understanding so that the issue could be handled through the competent entities.
The announcement of the lifting of the veto came a day after the Government of Ecuador announced that it will send a mission to Russia to overcome the controversy created after the request of the Russian authorities to suspend five Ecuadorian banana exporting companies.
The Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday that the Ecuadorian delegation that would travel next Sunday would be made up of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Agriculture, as well as members of the Phyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad).
Phytosanitary problem
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this situation dates back six months ago, when Russia, “through communications, informed the Ecuadorian authorities about said banana phytosanitary problem.”
However, the request to suspend five of Ecuador’s banana companies that export this fruit to Russia came after it became known that the Ecuadorian Government is going to deliver Soviet military equipment to the United States, which in turn intends to send it to Ukraine. as reinforcement for the war against Russia.
In response to questions from journalists to the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense as to whether the lifting of these suspensions requested by Russia implies any change in the exchange of military material agreed with the United States, The Ecuadorian Executive refrained from responding.
The Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries, Sonsoles García, ruled out on Wednesday that the request to suspend exports to the five companies was retaliation for the agreement with the United Stateswhich in exchange will deliver new military equipment valued at 200 million dollars to Ecuador.
“If there was real retaliation, the origin of the fruit would have been suspended, something that has not happened to date”said the minister.
Vetoed companies
Among the companies whose exports had been vetoed by Russia were Agzulasa Cia, Don Carlos Fruit SA, Agroaereo Fruit Export SA, El Oro Agricultural Production Association (Asoproagroro) and Comercializadora de Banano.
Ecuador is the world’s leading banana exporter, with more than 6.5 million tons in 2023, according to statistics from the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE).
Of that volume, Russia constitutes the second destination market for Ecuadorian banana exports with 1.37 million tons in 2023, equivalent to 22.85% of the total, only surpassed by the European Union (EU).
The turnover of banana exports amounted to 3,255 million dollars between January and November 2023, of which 690 million dollars were for shipments to Russia, which has Ecuador as practically its only external supplier of bananas, representing 98%. of its imports of this fruit. EFE
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