24 November 2008, www.reefertrends.com

Costa Rica's independent banana producers are asking the Government to impose a 19% increase to cover the rise in production costs. The current reference price of US$7.17 per box is due for revision on 1 January 2009 – the independent producers, who account for 16K hectares of the total estimated 40K hectares of banana production in Costa Rica, are asking that the price paid to them by the exporters should rise to US$8.50 per box. The reasons behind the demand include a rise in the cost of controlling Black Sigatoka, increased packaging and fertilizer costs. Only three months ago the reference price was increased from US$6.45 per box to account for an increase in production costs.