Three months before the World Cup, banana exports to Qatar grew by 73% and other products also take the opportunity to enter

Just three months separate Ecuador from its fourth participation in a soccer world cup. This time the ecumenical event will be in Qatar, which not only attracts the attention of sports connoisseurs in the country, but also of productive sectors that have seen so far this year that products such as bananas have grown in exports to that west asian destination.

Richard Salazar, executive director of the Ecuadorian Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), confirmed the boom in exports of the fruit to the Qatari market, noting that in the first half of this year exports grew 73.62%. compared to the first half of 2021, the year in which shipments to that destination also closed with a rise of 24.45%.

With Ecuador almost at the World Cup, exporters hope to transform Qatar into their distribution center for the Middle East

In volume, Salazar specified that from January to July, Ecuador exported 528,772 boxes of bananas to Qatar, 224,199 more than in the same period of 2021, the year in which a total of 724,143 boxes were exported, 142,269 more than in 2020.

The businessman described what happened in the Qatari market as an “important increase”, although he did not endorse 100% of the responsibility for the World Cup that will be played from November 20 and that will have the Ecuadorian team in the opening match precisely with the hostess, Qatar.

“I think it’s a mix. The Philippines no longer supplies it (to Qatar) as before, due to its problem of fusarium race 4 Ecuador practically replaced him and also for the World Cup, we must remember that he will be his first rival”, said the executive director of Acorbanec.

In addition, other distant and exotic destinations in the Middle East have shown growth, such as Oman (213%), Turkey (15.52%), Jordan (96.27%), Saudi Arabia (26.99%), among others.

For his part, Pascual del Cioppo, ambassador of Ecuador in Qatar, indicated that work has been done on the introduction of Ecuadorian products in Qatar, directly connecting the exporting producer with supermarkets and final consumers.

“Undoubtedly taking advantage of the knowledge of our country, now much more in the Arabian Gulf market, for the World Cup,” said Del Cioppo, who revealed that a campaign with all supermarkets began last January. and distributors from Qatar, as well as from the Gulf, to promote Ecuadorian products, prioritizing the quality of the products and seriousness in the continuity of deliveries according to their requirements.

For example, last April, the Ecuadorian company Agrícola Cañas sent its first container of bananas to Qatar, specifically to the Lulu chain hypermarket. Isabel Maspons, sales manager of the national firm, pointed out that they are currently in talks to send more containers to that destination.

If the World Cup were a commercial exchange, Ecuador would beat the Netherlands, beat Qatar and lose to Senegal

Meanwhile, on these results, the ambassador described them as “successful” by reiterating the increase in banana exports, in addition to its organic variant and also increases in orders for other products such as roses and pitahaya.

“But not only that, we are going to enter with toquilla straw hats, as with coffee and for the first time with cigars, manufactured in Central America, but with Ecuadorian tobacco and Ecuadorian tobacco leaf wrapping, promoting itself as one of the best in the world in quality”, revealed Del Cioppo. (YO)