Banana exports reverse sagging trend, rise in 2023

Philippine banana exports reversed its sagging trend as shipments recovered in 2023, halting a four-year decline, thanks to additional production from rehabilitated areas previously affected by Panama disease.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the country exported 2.354 million metric tons of fresh bananas in 2023 or 3.5 percent higher than the 2.275 million MT it shipped in 2022.

In terms of value, the country recorded a three-year high export receipt in 2023 at $1.22 billion, about 11 percent over the $1.097 billion recorded in 2022.

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig attributed the recovery to the continuous rehabilitation of Panama disease-affected farms.