1. Weekly News

China

China Sets Strict Entry Rules for Colombian Banana Exports

China has implemented stricter phytosanitary rules for Colombian banana imports, reinforcing its oversight of pest control and product quality to ensure food safety. Although Colombia has long had market access, large-scale exports to China have been limited due to high logistics costs, quality inconsistencies, and strong competition. Under the updated requirements, only unripe bananas with intact peels from General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)-approved orchards and packing facilities will be accepted, while shipments containing pests, plant debris, or safety violations risk rejection, return, or destruction. These measures aim to strengthen compliance and enhance the reliability of Colombian banana shipments in the Chinese market.

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic's Banana Exports Decline Sharply

The Dominican Republic has experienced a sharp downturn in its banana industry, with export revenues falling by over 44% in the past three years, from USD 363.2 million in 2021 to USD 202.7 million in 2024. This decline highlights increasing challenges for an industry that has historically contributed significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings, particularly through exports to European markets, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Ecuador

Ecuador Faces Soaring Banana Prices and Production Challenges from Weather and Disease

Ecuador is seeing rising local banana and plantain prices due to weather disruptions, flooding, and widespread diseases such as moko and Sigatoka, which have reduced productivity. Small-scale producers who dominate the plantain sector are especially vulnerable due to limited access to modern farming tools. In provinces like Manabí, prices have surged by up to 50%, with consumers now paying USD 1 for just three green plantains compared to five previously. Although Ecuador maintains 153 thousand hectares (ha) of plantain cultivation, around 70% of the output serves local needs, with the remainder exported. From Jan-25 to Apr-25, processed banana exports rose by 21.82% year-on-year (YoY), led by shipments to the United States (US), which received over 65% of the total volume. However, fresh banana exports fell by 2.02%, raising concerns about the sector’s global competitiveness as production constraints continue.

Ecuador Defends Banana Industry Against Labor Rights Allegations

Ecuador’s banana industry has rejected recent claims by the International Trade Union Confederation, which listed the country among the worst for labor rights in its Global Rights Index. Industry leaders argue that the assessment relied on outdated data and overlooked major improvements in working conditions, including efforts to eliminate child labor, ensure fair wages, and reinforce worker protections. As one of the world’s leading banana exporters, Ecuador underscores its commitment to ethical labor practices, highlighting ongoing initiatives to improve workplace safety and uphold collective bargaining rights.

Peru

Water Mismanagement and Disease Threaten Peru’s Organic Banana Sector

In Peru’s Chira Valley, the center of its organic banana export industry, production has declined by 40 to 45% over the past six months due to prolonged water shortages caused by mismanagement and irrigation prioritization for rice. Many growers endured over three months without irrigation, significantly reducing output, while the spread of Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) has further decreased the area under cultivation. Despite these challenges, organic banana prices have remained stable under Fair Trade and Símbolo de Pequeños Productores (SPP) standards, with Asociación de Pequeños Productores de Banano Orgánico de Saman y Anexos (APPBOSA) continuing to export to Europe and planning expansion to the US, Canada, and South Korea. The cooperative has invested in efficiency improvements such as cableway systems and maintained its focus on sustainability and labor standards, though ongoing water scarcity and rising logistics costs, especially through the port of Paita, continue to pressure margins.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Banana Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Banana Pricing Important Exporters (W24 2024 to W24 2025) 

Ecuador

In Ecuador, banana prices spiked 66.67% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 0.40 per kilogram (kg) in W24, jumped 60% month-on-month (MoM), and soared 185.71% YoY. This dramatic surge stems from severe supply constraints triggered by major export disruptions, specifically Panama Canal bottlenecks and Red Sea shipping delays, that sharply limited Ecuador’s ability to reach key markets. Higher minimum support prices (set at around USD 7.25/box starting Jan-25) created a price floor for growers. At the same time, a rebound in demand from Europe, Russia, and Asia, following earlier dips, added upward pressure on prices amid constrained global availability.

Philippines

In W24, Philippine banana prices slightly increased by 0.76% WoW to USD 1.33/kg with no change MoM. This modest rise stems from renewed export activity, particularly for the Balangon variety bound for South Korea. This follows government-led promotion and improved supply logistics from Northern Luzon. However, broader supply remains constrained by ongoing production losses from Foc TR4 and elevated input costs, which have limited output growth and contributed to sustained higher prices YoY.

Colombia

In W24, banana prices in Colombia held steady WoW at USD 0.53/kg, with a 12.77% MoM increase driven by rising demand from the European Union (EU) and the US, where shippers are benefiting from strong premium pricing tied to sustainability and living-wage certifications. However, YoY prices dropped by 8.62% due to increased global competition from lower-cost producers and a mild recovery in Colombia’s overall export volumes, which tempered market pricing compared to the previous year’s more constrained supply.

Guatemala

Guatemala's banana prices held steady at USD 0.20/kg in W24, supported by stable local harvesting volumes and steady local demand. However, MoM prices dipped 4.76% as a seasonal increase in supply slightly oversaturated local markets. Despite this, YoY prices surged 17.65%, reflecting rising export volumes and stronger international demand. Guatemala expanded exports by 4.5% in 2024, boosting average prices even as domestic fluctuations occurred.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Adopt Targeted Disease and Flood Mitigation Strategies

Banana producers should invest in region-specific disease control and flood resilience practices to reduce yield losses and stabilize supply. For example, growers can rotate crops or cover moist soil with clear plastic sheets during hot months to trap heat and kill soil-borne pathogens like moko. They can also use resistant cultivars or biological fungicides to manage Sigatoka, and reinforce field drainage or raise planting beds to prevent flood damage. In high-risk areas, especially among smallholders, cooperatives can coordinate pooled purchases of tools such as sprayers, protective covers, or weather monitoring kits to lower costs and improve disease detection and response.

Improve Water Efficiency and Disease Control in Organic Banana Farms

Banana producers should prioritize on-farm water conservation and Fusarium management to sustain yields during prolonged dry periods. Growers can adopt drip irrigation systems to optimize limited water use, install moisture-retaining ground covers, and shift to drought-tolerant banana varieties. For Fusarium control, producers should regularly disinfect tools, implement crop rotation with non-host plants, and use bio-fumigants to suppress soil pathogens. Cooperatives can support members by pooling resources for shared irrigation equipment or offering training on early disease detection to prevent widespread crop loss.

Sources: Tridge, Agraria, Diariolibre, Eluniverso, Fresh Plaza, PIA, Producereport, Reuters