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Ecuador is the number two supplier of bananas to China. It is also the largest banana grower in South America.

Ecuador is the western-most country that lies on the equator. With 2,337 kilometers of coastline, it has all of the natural conditions necessary for growing good bananas.

“Our clients think bananas from Ecuador have a bigger size and nicer appearance. And most of all, our bananas taste better. They are being used more and more in gifting rather than everyday food. It means our bananas are recognised as a type of high-end commodity,” said Antony Molina, Executive Chairman of Chinese Chamber of Commerce .

Ecuador has exported 298 million dollars worth of bananas to China this year, a big jump from just around 74 million dollars in 2000. The vast Chinese market has spiked banana exports from Ecuador.

“We exported 125 million dollars worth of bananas to China in 2015, that accounted for about a quarter of the Chinese market. We hope this trend will continue,” Molina said.

Ecuador is the number one exporter of bananas in the world. It is also a major producer in agricultural commodities such as cocoa, shrimp, sugar cane, coffee and flowers.