In the first quarter of this year, the Simón Bolívar seaport in Guayaquil, managed by Contecon, recorded a growth of 5.76% in cargo moved abroad compared to the same period in 2022.

This was reported by the concessionaire, who assured that more than 219,000 TEU were mobilized from January to March. In the same period in 2022, there were about 207 thousand TEUs, figures highlighted by Javier Lancha, president of the Contecon Management Board.

Banana exports rose 4.57% in the first quarter, boosted by shipments to the EU and Russia, but there were markets where the share fell

“At Contecon, we are committed to strengthening the country’s foreign trade; For this reason, all investments in technology, security and infrastructure in the terminal seek to boost Ecuadorian exports to the largest number of international destinations,” said Lancha, who explained that the growth recorded during the first quarter was due to the recovery of banana exports to the European market.

According to data from the Ecuadorian Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), the cumulative export of the fruit from January to March was 99.86 million boxes, or 4.57% more than the export in the same period in 2022.

The main destination of 99.86 million boxes was the European Union (EU), where 31.88% of production went. It is followed by Russia, the country to which 23.53 percent of the fruit was sent, while the third destination is the Middle East, to which 12.54 percent was exported, and right behind it is the United States of America with 10.26 percent.

In addition, Contecon noted that it handles 57% of total fruit exports and is the only port with services to Russia.

Trade deal with China consolidates cell phone tariff cuts in 2019 and ensures they won’t rise again

As for the investments mentioned by the CEO, it was stated that Contecon has invested about 12 million dollars in infrastructure improvements and to strengthen security at the terminal in 2022.

Meanwhile, regarding the projections for this year, the terminal anticipates the mobilization of more than 900 thousand TEU by next December, which would represent an increase of more than 5%; compared to 2022. This is due to the increase in demand for bananas in the European Union and the signing of a trade agreement with China.