The Philippines experienced a decline in its position as a global banana exporter, moving from third to fourth place in 2024, according to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This shift was attributed to a 3% drop in banana shipments, influenced by adverse weather conditions and an outbreak of plant disease. Despite this setback, the Philippines maintained its status as the leading banana exporter in Asia.
Production volumes experienced a downturn, with the country exporting 2.278 million tons of bananas in 2024, a decrease from the previous year's 2.35 million tons. The FAO highlighted the impact of Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease, which significantly reduced the productive land area in Mindanao, a key banana-producing region in the Philippines. The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association reported that only 51,000 hectares remained productive out of an initial 89,000 hectares, due to TR4 contamination.
The banana sector's challenges were further compounded by geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, affecting some exports. Danilo Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc., cited additional adversities such as rainfall, flooding, drought, hurricanes, high input costs, and logistical issues. Fausto expressed concerns over the sector's recovery, emphasizing the need for scientific solutions and improved technological approaches to combat these challenges.
TR4, a fungal disease, poses a significant threat to banana production, affecting cavendish bananas which constitute a substantial portion of the global banana supply. The FAO noted a 1% reduction in the global banana trade in 2024, with adverse weather conditions and plant pests and diseases as contributing factors. The report also mentioned increased production in Colombia, India, and Vietnam, contrasting with reduced supplies from several countries due to unfavorable weather and tropical storms. The spread of TR4 not only in the Philippines but also in Venezuela and Peru was highlighted as a cause for concern, leading to production losses and financial burdens associated with disease prevention efforts.
Source: Inquirer