AsoGuabo
2019 Delegation Visit
Co-op Name: Asociación de Pequeños Productores Bananeros El Guabo
Location: El Guabo, El Oro, Ecuador
Partner since: 2007
Number of Producers: 124
Land under production per farmer: 1-30 hectares
Certifications: Organic, Fairtrade, Global GAP
Website: https://asoguabo.com.ec/en/asoguabo-home-english/
History: AsoGuabo was founded in 1997 in El Guabo, El Oro, Ecuador. They are a pioneer in the fair trade banana business in Ecuador, and began with the export of just one container of bananas to Europe, the collaborative work of 14 farmers.
Background: The cooperative now unites 124 farmers who work to produce the bananas in stores with Equal Exchange Ecuador stickers. Part of this is ensuring that AsoGuabo’s “collaborators, producers and suppliers feel recognized and valued”, which they explain on their website. This extends to celebrating the birthdays of all these important members of the cooperative. This goal lends itself to the fair trade model; as we work to shorten the supply chain, we are able to more appropriately value each member, from producer to store level. Pictured above is a delegation visit, which is one of the ways that we foster this connection across the supply chain. During one of these visits, Equal Exchange staff and customers are able to visit farmer cooperatives at origin and meet some of their staff.
Premium Project Highlights: Fairtrade premiums are used by co-op partners for practical necessities such as repairs and sanitary measures. They also vote on more substantial projects to enrich the community. AsoGuabo has implemented many programs to help with the improvement of farms, including adding cables, which help to move fruit in a more efficient and less laborious way, cemented lines, packhouses, bridges, and creating “bioles”, a type of fertilizer using microorganisms for soil health. All of this contributes to their ongoing success as an organization and their continued strong partnership with Equal Exchange Produce. Additionally, they have been able to distribute grants for local educational foundations and healthcare expansion. In 2019, AsoGuabo was able to start a reforestation initiative (the presentation for which is pictured at right) as a contribution to maintaining biodiversity.
Presentation of AsoGuabo’s reforestation initiative
