The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) reported this Thursday, May 4, that it is implementing the minimum price for bananas and giving all members of the banana chain a maximum of ten days to submit the documents that enable them to do so. activity.

“Presentation of the requested documentation is necessary so that actors in the chain, registered in the Banana Control System, keep their register active,” the Ministry’s press release states.

The government portfolio also reaffirmed that it is implementing the payment of the minimum support price for a box of bananas, which has been set at $6.50 and has been in effect since January.

Producers support the inclusion of a ‘spot’ price in the new law, which, although not in the current law, monopolizes banana exports

MAG’s request in a statement comes after banana producers supported the introduction of a price system stains – at the market price without a contract – in the Proposal for the Law on Regulation of Production and Trade of Bananas, which is in the second debate in the National Assembly.

They also pointed to the non-recognition of prices in that law stains This hurts small producers. They cited cases where it was sold at the minimum support price, at 4, 3, even 2 dollars per box, but since the only modality of minimum support was in force, the producers had to pay tax on that price and not on the actual receipt .

In the press release, the Ministry cited Article 308 of the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, which refers to sanctions of deprivation of liberty for those who do not pay the official minimum support price or indexation established for agricultural or livestock products, including bananas, corn, rice, etc. ( )