Nuno Maciel Declares Recovery and Price Stability for Madeira Banana Sector

Madeira’s Regional Secretary of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nuno Maciel, told the Regional Banana Fair that the public agency GESBA has turned the banana sector around after two years of losses. He attributed the improvement to strict, transparent policies and a strategic vision that enabled GESBA to purchase all production, raise the average price paid to growers from €1.00 to €1.09 per kg and add a €0.05 per kg bonus – a total extra payment of about €1.05 million directly to farmers.

Maciel also highlighted that GESBA provided a collective harvest‑insurance fund of €17 million, advanced €7.5 million from POSEI, and reduced its liabilities by 18.62%, roughly €4 million. He warned that any attempts to destabilise the sector for political gain would be rejected and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue supporting banana producers.