Banana industry
In 2016, world production of bananas and plantains was 148 million tonnes, led by India and China with a combined total (only for bananas) of 28% of global production (table). Other major producers were the Philippines, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Brazil, together accounting for 20% of the world total of bananas and plantains (table).
Banana production in Ecuador
The country's cuisine includes a variety of different banana types such as "oritos" (sweet baby bananas): yellow eating bananas which are short, fat and very sweet. A related fruit, plantains or "plátanos" (pronounced “PLAH-ta-nohs”), are also grown extensively in Ecuador, and are usually cooked for eating, both when green and at various stages of ripening. In the coastal areas, a popular side dish served is Patacones, or fried plantains. Plantains are eaten in deep fried form or baked or boiled and used in a wide variety of dishes. The green variety is unripe and is known as "verde", the Spanish word for green. When they are ripe they turn yellow and then black . Green plantains are commonly cut into thin slices and deep fried. These are known as "chifles" and are very popular, much like potato chips, used to accompany ceviches and many other dishes; the "maqueño" type is especially good for chifles. "Viche" is a soup containing banana, calamari, conch, crab, crawfish, fish, and peanuts.