Panafrican News Agency

EU and African banana producers discuss future trade relations

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) -  Since Wednesday 18 September 2019, The Pan-African Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters (Afruibana), led by their president Joseph Owona Kono, has since Wednesday started consultation with the European Union through its Ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire, Jobst Von Kirchmann.

For three days, the two sides will take stock  of their trade relations concerning dessert banana and how to project themselves into a dynamic partnership that would benefit both parties

The ambassador explained to banana producers the difficulties faced by the European Union since the establishment in 1993 of the "common organisation in the dessert banana market".

"We went into a banana war, especially with countries of Latin America and the United States, that took us before the World Trade Organization. But we protected the ACP countries. The EU has invested a total of 125 billion Cfa francs in this sector, in the ACP countries", Mr. Kirchmann said.

For African producers, the EU which is a key partner for agricultural development in African countries, needs to review its copy.

Despite Kirchmann's explanations, Kono said that the situation of ACP banana producers has seriously deteriorated. At issue is the significant loss of market share in Europe.

The stabilisation mechanism put in place between the EU and the ACP countries expires this year, while the ongoing development and cooperation policy of the European Commission calls for the mobilization of African fruit producers and exporters.

-0- PANA JU/TBM/BBA/AR  19Sept2019