1. Weekly News

Turkey

Turkish Farmers in Malatya Succeed in Growing Bananas in Greenhouses

Farmers in Malatya, Turkey, traditionally known for apricot production, have successfully grown bananas in a greenhouse using seedlings from the Anamur district. The farmers are now seeing their first yields after planting 18 banana seedlings in a 50-square-meter (sqm) area in May-23. Originally half a meter tall, the bananas have grown to over three meters, and their fruits are beginning to ripen. Encouraged by this success, the farmers plan to expand banana cultivation with support from local agricultural authorities. This expansion could potentially establish a new crop for the region.

Malawi

Malawi Farmers Turn Overripe Bananas into Wine Amidst Climate Challenges

Farmers in Northern Malawi have started making banana wine to address the overripe bananas caused by extreme heat. In the Karonga district, the Twitule Cooperative Group, mainly led by women, now ferments overripe bananas into wine instead of discarding them. This shift follows their displacement from Lake Malawi due to rising water levels. The rising water levels forced them into hotter areas where bananas ripen quickly. The banana wine, made with overripe bananas, sugar, yeast, raisins, water, and lemons, has a 13% alcohol content and a sweet, fruity flavor. Currently producing 20 to 50 liters (L) a month, the cooperative plans to expand with new equipment and seek export opportunities, pending the approval of the Malawi Bureau of Standards. This approach helps reduce banana waste, provides additional income, and supports the farmers' resilience against climate challenges.

Peru

Peru Launches Task Force to Combat Banana Disease Outbreak

The Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) has created a working group to tackle a phytosanitary emergency caused by Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4), a disease threatening banana crops., Led by the Vice Minister of Policies and Supervision of Agrarian Development, the group will coordinate efforts to prevent the spread of this disease. Their goal is to protect crucial banana and plantain crops. The group plans to release an action plan on September 19, 2024. The plan will focus on biosecurity and soil analysis to manage and contain the disease, which has already affected 170 thousand hectares (ha) nationwide.

Hurricane-Force Winds Devastate Banana Plantations in Bolivia

Strong hurricane-force winds struck Shinahota, Cochabamba, in Bolivia, on September 7, 2024. The storm caused significant damage, destroying at least 100 ha of banana plantations. Community members revealed the extent of the devastation during a Sunday inspection. They expressed concern over the impact on both local and export-oriented banana production. The destruction has affected several unions and over 100 families who rely on banana farming for their livelihood. The Shinahota Mayor has announced a follow-up inspection on Monday to assess the full economic losses from the storm.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Banana Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Banana Pricing Important Exporters (W37 2023 to W37 2024)

Ecuador

Banana prices in Ecuador remained steady at USD 0.22 per kilogram (kg) in W37, consistent since W35, with a 4.76% MoM increase. This stability persists despite unstable weather conditions that have reduced export volumes by up to 25%. Effective pest management practices have ensured consistent product quality, while rising demand from key markets like Korea and China — bolstered by free trade agreements (FTA), such as the China-Ecuador FTA and the Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement between Ecuador and South Korea (SECA) — continue to support prices. However, the year-on-year (YoY) decline of 4.35% suggests broader market adjustments compared to the previous year despite current disruptions in supply.

Philippines

In the Philippines, banana prices dropped slightly by 1.59% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 1.24/kg, with a 3.13% month-on-month (MoM) decline. This is due to a temporary improvement in supply as production stabilizes following recovery efforts from the impacts of tropical storms and the southwest monsoon. However, YoY prices increased by 10.71%, reflecting the lingering effects of earlier weather-related disruptions that significantly reduced production capacity, keeping prices higher than the previous year despite the recent supply recovery.

Colombia

Colombian banana prices surged by 38.61% WoW to USD 0.79/kg in W37, compared to the previous price of 0.57/kg in W36. This represented a 6.76% MoM increase and a 71.74% YoY rise due to the resolution of the truckers' strike, which restored banana shipments and eased logistical bottlenecks that had previously caused significant price drops. Increased shipments are further driven by sustained strong demand from European importers and favorable export conditions. Colombian bananas remain a competitive alternative due to higher prices in neighboring markets like Ecuador.

Guatemala

In W37, Guatemala's banana prices remained steady at USD 0.20/kg, with a 5.26% MoM increase and a 53.85% YoY increase. This weekly price stability is due to sustained strong demand for Guatemalan bananas, as global buyers continue to rely on the country as an alternative supplier amidst reduced production in other key exporting regions. The MoM increase reflects ongoing demand growth, while the significant YoY rise underscores the broader market's reliance on Guatemalan bananas to meet supply shortages and mitigate higher costs from other suppliers.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Implement Immediate Recovery and Support Measures for Affected Banana Farmers

Local agricultural authorities and disaster relief organizations should prioritize implementing immediate recovery measures for banana farmers affected by the recent hurricane-force winds. This includes conducting a detailed assessment of economic losses by surveying damaged plantations and estimating repair costs. Additionally, facilitating the repair or replanting of damaged banana plantations and establishing a task force to coordinate with local unions and support export-oriented production will help mitigate long-term impacts and support community recovery.

Strengthen Supply Stability and Price Management Amid Recovery

Philippine banana producers and agricultural authorities should improve infrastructure by investing in more resilient transportation and storage systems to protect bananas from future weather disruptions. Supporting farmers can involve providing financial assistance, access to better farming tools, and training on climate-resilient practices. To implement price management strategies, authorities should set up monitoring systems to track supply levels and ensure the timely distribution of bananas to prevent shortages. Additionally, forming cooperative groups can help farmers collectively manage production and pricing more effectively, stabilizing the market in the short and long term.

Expand Production Capacity to Meet Growing Global Demand

Guatemalan banana producers should focus on expanding production capacity by optimizing existing farms through precision agriculture technologies, enhancing irrigation systems, and adopting more efficient crop management techniques. Investing in new cultivation areas, particularly in regions with favorable growing conditions, can also help increase output. Additionally, improving farming practices by incorporating pest-resistant banana varieties such as the “Grande Naine” or “FHIA-18” and adopting sustainable farming methods like organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM) will boost yields. Strengthening supply chain logistics and export infrastructure will ensure efficient distribution and allow Guatemala to meet rising global demand.

Sources: Tridge, Freshplaza, La-razon, MXfruit, Senasa, BBC, Sondakika, DHA, Portalfruticola