The banana boom in Ecuador was an important period of flowering and expansion of the cultivation and export of bananas. The country became the world's leading producer and exporter of the fruit. This process, which initially extended between 1940 and early 1950, was due to the confluence of internal and external factors.
The production and sale of bananas supported other economic and social sectors in Ecuador and inserted the country into international markets. In other words, the banana became the base or support axis of the Ecuadorian economy. On the other hand, it produced a great social impact by motivating migration.
Ecuador banana farm
Two key factors influenced this process. The first was the opening of the American and European markets to exotic fruits in the middle of World War II. Of course, this substantially increased the demand for bananas.
Secondly, the plantations of other banana producers -such as Central American countries and Mexico- were attacked by temporary pests and diseases, to which were added the hurricanes that hit this region, causing the destruction of thousands of hectares of plantations in the region. fruit.
characteristics
- From 1940 to 1970, Ecuador became a net exporter of bananas. Its economy revolved around fruit exports until the start of oil exports and, later, the strong boost to tourism.
- The first stage of the banana boom lasted from 1940 to 1950 and was sustained on the basis of production in small and medium plantations. The contribution of the State for the promotion of the production was decisive. It also avoided the concentration of productive land and capital in a few hands, as happened with the so-called cocoa boom.
- During the banana expansion process, the country's middle class and productive sectors were strengthened, particularly agricultural producers. Entire families such as the Noboa Naranjo, Wong Mayorga, Cañarte Barbero and others, managed to establish true agricultural empires.
- The developmental conception of the State and of agrarian justice brought with it the strengthening of democratic values. Banana production also became a unifying and integrating element of the country from an economic point of view.
- The banana boom not only had economic and social effects, but also political ones. The conservative sectors of politics and the Church were weakened, due to the modernization process and migrations from the mountains to the coast.
- The Ecuadorian banana stood out very quickly worldwide for its flavor and quality. Its listing in the international markets of the United States, Europe and Asia gave it competitive advantages. These characteristics of the Ecuadorian banana are due to the weather conditions and the soils of the crops.
Causes
- The world demand for bananas and other exotic fruits, especially in the United States and Western Europe, produced an unusual growth in the plantations of this fruit in Ecuador. This demand was a direct consequence of the Second World War and the need to feed the troops at the front and the population in general.
- The opening of the US and European markets facilitated the growth of banana production and export. The arrival of foreign capital also had an influence, such as that of the United Fruit Co. company, which concentrated on the commercialization stage.
- Additionally, there were internal economic conditions that supported this productive boom. The country had cheap labor, which made investment and the banana business more attractive. Besides, there was another element no less important: the availability of abundant fertile arable land.
- Traditional banana producers in Central America and Mexico were affected by a series of temporary pests and diseases that destroyed their plantations. Also during this period, several hurricanes hit the Central American region and the Mexican territories dedicated to the cultivation of bananas.
- While the plantations of other producers were razed, Ecuador enjoyed a benign climate and a sound government policy aimed at boosting production.
- Producers obtained low-cost state loans, technical advice, new technologies and support in road and maritime transport infrastructure.
- The presence of Clemente Yerovi Indaburo as Minister of Economy between 1848 and 1950 was decisive in the banana boom, as well as the support of the government of President Galo Plaza Lasso. The effort of both to achieve the economic growth of Ecuador from the cultivation of bananas was successful and successful.
Consequences
- The first great social consequence of the banana boom in Ecuador was peasant migrations from the mountains and mountainous areas to the coast. This produced a remarkable change from a demographic and economic point of view.
- The most favored were the small producers, who soon saw their wealth increased, although the day laborers who worked on the plantations did not. However, the banana boom represented a change and a factor of mobility for many families who arrived as migrants to the coastal cities.
- From an economic point of view, it meant a positive change for the country because it managed to reintegrate itself into international markets. With the banana came new capital from abroad. The services infrastructure (water, electricity, health, roads, ports and airports) was adapted.
- Under the cover of bananas, other Ecuadorian economic sectors also expanded. Such was the case in the industrial sectors of construction and fishing, as well as commerce, transport, telecommunications and banking.
- The national production in general increased in other agricultural items, at the same time that the domestic market grew with the increase in consumption. The economy was diversifying.
- There was a progressive urban and human development with a more vigorous State, encouraged by sustained economic growth for almost three decades. The professionalization of broad layers of the population allowed social mobility and the growth of the middle class.
- The traditional hacienda, based on the latifundio as an extensive production system, was replaced. In its place, more modern, technical and efficient production units were created.
- In short, the banana boom generated a modernizing process of the Ecuadorian State, economy and society.
References
- Pablo González Casanova: The State in Latin America: theory and practice. Retrieved May 29, 2018 from books.google.co.ve
- A trip to the origin of the banana boom. Consulted of elcomercio.com
- Populism and the Banana Boom in Ecuador. Consulted of es.slideshare.net
- Characteristics of the Banana Boom. Consulted of augebananero.blogspot.com
- Three characteristics of the banana boom. Consulted of brainly.lat
- Banana boom. Consulted of augebananero.blogspot.com
- Banana production today. Consulted from es.scribd.com