Production of Cavendish bananas, the main export variety, remains threatened by Fusarium wilt or Panama disease, likely dampening exports, according to the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA).
“For the first three months, our production was even worse than last year. We’re kind of worried that maybe at the end of this year, we might not be able to contribute even $1 billion,” PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A. Antig told BusinessWorld in a virtual interview.
Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the total land area planted to banana was 442,894 hectares last year, with 84,328 hectares dedicated to Cavendish, which is cultivated in large plantations for efficiency.
Mr. Antig said that about 15,000 banana plantations were hit by the disease, while the Department of Agriculture is currently monitoring the affected land area to arrive at a production estimate.
Fusarium wilt is a soil borne fungal disease that is attaches to banana plants, blocking the plant’s vascular system and depriving it of minerals, nutrients, and moisture. Affected plants turn yellow until they die.
Banana exports totaled 2.24 MMT in 2022, down 6.21%, according to preliminary data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The value of banana exports dipped to $1.09 billion from $1.14 billion in the previous year, the FAO said.