Coronavirus hurts banana exports of Philipines

Covid19 outbreak has forced banana growers in the Philippines to take preventive measures which slowed down banana production. Philippines is the second biggest banana exporter in the world with a market share of 20 % and annual export volume of 4,000 kmt. Due to the declining production, the export volume is expected to go down to 2,500 kmt this season.

As a result, Philipines is at the risk of losing some of its market position in its main export destinations such as China and Japan. Bananas from Ecuador may be replacing Philippines bananas in the Japanese market whereas growers from Myanmar will do the same in the Chinese market.