José Carlos Rendón: insiste en la unidad del sector, pide trabajar “todos, sin fisura”

José Carlos Rendón, re-elected president of Asprocan, faces a period marked by both positive and negative aspects: the rise in banana prices—good news for farmers—coexists with a loss of market share due to insufficient production. In an interview with Lucio Hernández on Crónicas del Campo, Rendón paints a complex picture combining climatic problems, a lack of pesticides, international competition, and tensions with European institutions. Market and Production Rendón emphasizes that, although prices are high (which pleases producers), the drop in production volume makes the situation bittersweet. The lower supply favors the consumption of imported bananas, when the goal is to increase consumption of Canary Island bananas. The lack of production, attributed to climatic and other factors, requires a president who anticipates “a lot of work,” especially in advocating for aid and institutional support. The Multiannual Financial Framework and the Institutional Battle One of the central concerns is the potential inclusion of Canary Island bananas within the EU's new multiannual financial framework. Rendón warns of the risk of facing direct competition with other activities in the mainland's primary sector, which would dilute resources and protection. He welcomes the support of the European Parliament, but points out that the Commission's agreement—which he describes as the most difficult body—and the final decision of the Conference of Presidents are still needed. He summarizes the situation as a "three-legged table": securing two out of three votes is necessary to guarantee the required funding and exemptions. Plant Protection Products: Investment, Bureaucracy, and Competitive Inequality Another key issue was the problem of plant protection products. Asprocan finances costly trials (tens of thousands of euros per test) and is requesting temporary exemptions while authorizations are being processed. Rendón criticizes the very slow European bureaucracy: the processes for reintroducing or approving products can take years, time that producers don't have when dealing with pests. Furthermore, he denounces “unfair” competition from imports that use prohibited products or different standards, leaving European producers without the “tools” to combat pests and maintain competitiveness. Unity, patience, and a call to society Faced with these challenges, Rendón insists on the unity of the sector: after his re-election, he calls for everyone to work “together, without division,” learning from mistakes and maintaining the necessary political and social patience. He sends a direct message to farmers: be optimistic and continue believing in the Canary Island banana project. He acknowledges that there were political tensions during the elections, but believes that the principles and defense of the Canary Islands' primary sector remain aligned. A call for support: politicians, media, and society Rendón appeals for collaboration from the Regional Ministry, public entities, political parties, and the media to highlight the need to maintain local production. He recalls figures that illustrate the gap that still needs to be filled: last year, 325,000 tons were shipped to a market of around 600,000 tons, so the Canary Islands' supply still needs to increase significantly to guarantee availability and market position. The interview makes it clear that Rendón's re-election represents continuity in a strategy to defend Canary Island bananas against external and institutional threats. The immediate challenge is twofold: to secure a favorable financial and regulatory framework in the EU and to have sufficient phytosanitary tools and production capacity to recover market share. To achieve this, he calls for unity within the sector, patience, political pressure, and media and social support to preserve Canary Island production as part of regional food security and sovereignty.