The origin of bananas in the world is apparently in the Hindu subcontinent in Asia and was transferred to America together with the migratory currents of European merchants in the 16th century. From there several varieties of musaceae grow naturally and wild.
The growing demand for bananas in Europe and the United States and the impact of pests and hurricanes on Central American plantations influence the government of Galo Plaza Lasso to modernize the production and export of the fruit.
Cheap labor, the availability of agricultural land, the government’s development policy -including credits and infrastructure works- and the absence of plagues and hurricanes in the country are the perfect conditions to eventually position Ecuador as the world’s leading producer. of the fruit
Banana exports dominate the Ecuadorian economy until the 1970s, when it is supplanted by oil.
Ecuador currently exports an average of 5 million boxes weekly, grown on approximately 230 thousand hectares.