The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) preliminary report indicates a possible shift in the global banana export rankings. The Philippines, which held the second place for six years, may have been outperformed by Guatemala in 2023.
The FAO's early findings suggest a nearly 3 percent decrease in the Philippines' banana exports to 2.206 million metric tons (MMT), down from 2.272 MMT in 2022. This decline allowed Guatemala, with an estimated 2.415 MMT of exports, to take the second spot.
However, these figures are preliminary, based on data available up to September 2023, country responses to the FAO's 2023 questionnaire, and secondary data from desk research.
The FAO attributes the Philippines' export drop to the rampant spread of Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 disease across its plantations. Despite the setback, the Philippines remains the leading banana exporter in Asia, accounting for about 60 percent of the region's shipments.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph