Drive Change
Consolidating Fair Trade and social equity in the banana sector of El Guabo.
1997 – Year our association was founded.
THE POWER OF BEING TOGETHER
Our Corporate Identity
We are an association of small producers united by a common purpose: to grow with dignity. Our identity is based on firm principles that guide every decision.
-
Democracy
Collective decisions where each member has a voice and a vote. -
Equity
Fair distribution of benefits among our communities. -
Transparency
Clear and honest management in each of our processes.
INSTITUTIONAL CHRONOLOGY
Our History
The story of ASOGUABO begins in 1994, when a group of small banana producers from the El Guabo canton organized themselves under a project promoted by UROCAL (Regional Union of Peasant Organizations of the Coast). In a context marked by inequality compared to large plantations and price volatility, these farmers understood that only unity would allow them to access better conditions and fairer trade.
In its early years, ASOGUABO received technical and financial support from the Dutch development agency SNV. However, the association gradually embarked on a path toward autonomy, assuming direct management of its exports, trade relations, and administrative model. This transition strengthened local capacities and consolidated the leadership of its members.
Towards the end of 1997, amidst fierce disputes over banana prices and the devastation caused by El Niño, the Association of Small Banana Producers of El Guabo (ASOGUABO) was formally established. The need to negotiate collectively and resist market pressures solidified its founders’ commitment to building a strong, democratic, and supportive organization.
The unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and equity paid off: by 2008, ASOGUABO had established itself as a global leader in fair trade, recognized for its exemplary cooperative model and the social impact it generated in the rural communities of El Oro province. Today, that legacy of collective effort continues to drive the development of hundreds of farming families.
OUR TRANSPARENT COMMITMENT
Code of Ethics and Conduct
Learn about the principles that govern the behavior of our partners, employees, and managers. A document that reflects our culture of integrity and respect.