The banana sector in the Magdalena Department, one of the agroindustrial pillars of the Colombian Caribbean, is experiencing an unprecedented logistics crisis due to repeated road blockages and the deterioration of security conditions in the region.
This was stated by Carlos Pinilla, General Manager of Banasan, during his address at the Third Colombian Banana Congress 2025, held in Santa Marta with the presence of industry leaders, authorities, and representatives of exporting companies.
Pinilla warned about the impact of this situation on the banana value chain, especially affecting small and medium producers.
“The logistics situation is critical. We are not talking about one or two isolated events, but a constant that repeats every month, every week,” the executive noted.
Road Blockages: A Risk to Competitiveness
According to the manager, in the past year there have been between seven and eight major blockages in Magdalena, most related to social demands such as the lack of potable water, poor rural road conditions, deficiencies in health services, and the abandonment of educational centers.
While recognizing the legitimacy of these needs, he warned that the blockages affect a single transport corridor through which 100% of Magdalena’s bananas are transported to the export ports.
“When that road is blocked, the entire operation stops. We cannot collect, pack, or dispatch on time. The fruit has a very precise logistics cycle. Any delay impacts quality, generates million-dollar losses, and jeopardizes contracts with international buyers,” Pinilla explained.
Rising Security Challenges
The logistics crisis is compounded by increasing insecurity in the producing areas. According to the executive, transporters have been victims of robbery, extortion, and threats, forcing companies to increase costs on insurance policies, escorts, and additional protection measures.
“The environment is becoming increasingly hostile for agricultural development. Many small producers are considering abandoning their crops, not because they do not want to work, but because they feel they have no guarantees to operate,” warned the Banasan manager.
Urgent Call to the National Government
Pinilla called on the National Government and local authorities to coordinate solutions that ensure free mobility in the logistics corridors and to advance a roadmap that includes improvements in rural infrastructure and comprehensive support for communities.
“We are committed to the development of the territory, but we need minimum conditions of stability. Security, road connectivity, and effective dialogue with communities are fundamental to remaining competitive and generating employment in Magdalena,” he emphasized.
Towards a Comprehensive Public Policy
Banasan’s participation in the Banana Congress highlighted the need for a structural public policy that balances the legitimate social demands of communities with the protection of productive chains that sustain the regional economy.
