Producers and exporters differ on preparedness as El Oro farm remains under quarantine awaiting lab results.

Quarantine sparks fears in El Oro

The Ecuadorian banana sector, the backbone of the country’s agricultural exports, is facing renewed anxiety after a plantation in Santa Rosa, El Oro, was quarantined on suspicion of being infected with the deadly Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) fungus. Agrocalidad, the national phytosanitary authority, has confirmed that samples were sent to a specialized laboratory in South Africa, with final results expected soon.

While officials stress that the presence of the fungus has not been confirmed, the mere possibility has raised alarm. Fusarium TR4 invades the vascular system of banana plants, blocking their ability to absorb water and nutrients. Once established, it can survive in the soil for up to 40 years, making banana cultivation impossible on infected land.

Small growers voice frustration

For small and medium producers in El Oro, the quarantine has underscored what they see as years of unpreparedness. Segundo Solano, president of the El Oro Banana Growers Association, which represents hundreds of small farmers, criticized authorities for failing to adopt effective preventive measures.

“There has been no preparation or effort here to confront a disease of this nature, which is practically a pandemic,” Solano warned. He recalled how Fusarium Race 1 wiped out the Gros Michel variety in the 1960s, forcing the global industry to shift to the Cavendish banana.

Solano argued that biosecurity measures remain weak. “I don’t see any preventive measures being taken, not even for other diseases like moko. Biosecurity protocols haven’t been adequately applied,” he said.

Producers are calling for urgent support, including wheeled sanitizers on farm access roads to disinfect vehicles, and credit lines from BanEcuador with low interest rates to help farmers finance protective measures.

Exporters defend current protocols

Exporters, however, present a different picture. Richard Salazar, director of the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), said the sector has been preparing since 2019, when the fungus first appeared in South America. According to him, Agrocalidad has trained staff and producers have adopted biosecurity measures such as disinfecting footwear, fumigating carts, and fencing plantations.

Salazar added that resistant varieties are being tested and that many producers have sought Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, which carries tax incentives. He also noted that with banana prices averaging $10.25 per box—about $3 above the minimum support price—producers should have the resources to invest in protective systems. Costs for biosecurity measures, he said, range from $500 to $1,500 per hectare, depending on the level of implementation.

National and regional response

Agrocalidad director Patricio Almeida emphasized that containment measures are already in place at the quarantined farm. A team of 40 technicians has been deployed to monitor the site, supported by drones surveying nearby areas. “These protocols have been applied rigorously and in accordance with international standards,” Almeida stated.

If confirmed, Ecuador would join Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, where Fusarium TR4 has been present since 2019. In Peru, outbreaks were reported in Piura in 2022 and 2023, underscoring how quickly the disease can spread across borders.

High stakes for Ecuador’s economy

The threat comes at a time when banana exports are surging. From January to July 2025, sales reached $2.549 billion, compared to $2.219 billion in the same period of 2024, according to the Central Bank. Ecuador remains the world’s top banana exporter, supplying key markets including the United States, China, Turkey, and Russia.

Despite the economic strength of the sector, small producers fear being left behind if Fusarium takes hold. As Solano put it, “We’re in our infancy in addressing this. Some properties have taken their own initiatives, but not all of them. Without clear support, the smallest farms will be the first to disappear.”