The Costa Rican banana industry has released new figures and technical results that support its social and environmental sustainability efforts in a regional context where agricultural production faces increasing regulatory and environmental demands.
According to data from the National Banana Corporation (Corbana), banana farming in Costa Rica provides over 42,200 direct jobs and nearly 100,000 indirect jobs. This makes it a vital economic sector in the Caribbean region of the country. The industry upholds regulated labor standards, such as minimum agricultural wages, health insurance, housing programs, and educational assistance for workers' children.
© Corbana
In response to questions about the use of agrochemicals in banana production, Corbana presented the results of a study supported by an independent laboratory. The research searched for 54 pesticide molecules and analyzed fruit samples at various stages of the production process. None of the molecules was detected. To date, no rejections have been recorded in international markets due to chemical residues in Costa Rican bananas.
It is also recalled that Costa Rican legislation prohibits workers from being on farms during aerial applications and strictly regulates the distances and conditions for spraying near communities.
Corbana also stated that all exporting farms hold international certifications like Rainforest Alliance and GlobalGAP, which require regular external audits based on environmental, social, and food safety sustainability standards.
Environmental measures include recycling all agricultural plastic, implementing systems to reduce water use in packing plants, and adopting technologies aimed at biodiversity conservation and biological pest control.
The sector's approach relies on a public-private partnership that encourages scientific research related to agricultural production, aiming to optimize soil management, responsible fertilization, and crop growth traceability.
Corbana reiterated that the sector remains willing to collaborate with international markets, technical organizations, and regulatory agencies by providing verifiable information about its processes and production standards.
© Corbana For more information:
Corbana
www.corbana.co.cr
